Liquid crystal display apparatus

ABSTRACT

According to some aspects, a liquid crystal display panel comprising an electrode is provided. The electrode comprises a plurality of convex branch electrode portions arranged in a plane, the convex branch electrode portions being convex when viewed from a first direction perpendicular to the plane and extending from a central region of the electrode to a periphery of the electrode, and a plurality of concave branch electrode portions, the concave branch electrode portions being concave when viewed from the first direction, extending from the central region to the periphery and adjacent to convex branch electrode portions. According to some aspects, a method of applying a pretilt to molecules in a liquid crystal layer of a liquid crystal display panel by applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer via first and second electrodes is provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Japanese Priority PatentApplication JP 2012-246598 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Nov. 8,2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a liquid crystal display apparatusthat includes a liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystallayer is sealed between a pair of substrates that includes an alignmentfilm on an opposed surface thereof.

In recent years, a liquid crystal display (LCD) has been widely used asa display monitor of a liquid crystal television, a notebook personalcomputer, a car navigation device or the like. The liquid crystaldisplay has various display modes (types) according to moleculararrangement (alignment) of liquid crystal molecules included in a liquidcrystal layer disposed between substrates. For example, a twistednematic (TN) mode in which liquid crystal molecules are aligned to betwisted in a state where voltage is not applied is known as a displaymode. In the TN mode, the liquid crystal molecules have a positivedielectric anisotropy, that is, a characteristic that a dielectricconstant in a long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules islarger than that in a short axis direction thereof. Thus, the liquidcrystal molecules have a structure in which an alignment direction ofthe liquid crystal molecules sequentially rotates in a plane that is inparallel to a substrate surface to be aligned in a direction that isorthogonal to the substrate surface.

On the other hand, a vertical alignment (VA) mode in which liquidcrystal molecules are aligned vertically with respect to a substratesurface in a state where voltage is not applied has attracted attention.In the VA mode, the liquid crystal molecules have a negative dielectricanisotropy, that is, a characteristic that a dielectric constant in along axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules is smaller than thatin a short axis direction thereof, and is capable of realizing a wideviewing angle compared with the TN mode.

In the liquid crystal display of such a VA mode, if voltage is applied,the liquid crystal molecules that are aligned in the vertical directionwith respect to a substrate react to fall down in a direction that isparallel to the substrate due to the negative dielectric anisotropy, tothereby transmit light. However, since the falling direction of theliquid crystal molecules aligned in the vertical direction with respectto the substrate is random, the alignment of the liquid crystalmolecules is disturbed by the voltage application, which causesdeterioration of a response characteristic to voltage.

In order to regulate alignment of liquid crystal molecules inapplication of voltage, various techniques have been proposed. Forexample, a multi-domain vertical alignment (MVA) technique or apatterned vertical alignment (PVA) technique, or a technique that usesan alignment film (for example, refer to Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 5-232473) have been proposed. In the MVAtechnique, an alignment control is performed using a slit or a rib(protrusion) to realize a wide viewing angle. In addition, recently, astructure (hereinafter, may be referred to as a fine slit structure) inwhich a plurality of fine slits is formed in an electrode (specifically,a pixel electrode) formed in one substrate and an electrode(specifically, a counter electrode) formed in the other substrate isprovided as a so-called solid electrode having no slit has been proposed(for example, refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2002-357830). However, in the fine slit structure, apart to which an electric field is not applied occurs in slits formed offine lines and spaces, and an alignment state of liquid crystalmolecules in application of voltage has a twisted structure, whichlowers light transmittance.

In order to solve the above problem, a technique in which concave andconvex portions instead of a plurality of fine slits are formed in apixel electrode is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2011-232736. In this technique, in one pixel, theplurality of concave and convex portions includes a stem convex portionthat extends on the X axis and the Y axis, and a plurality of branchconvex portions that extends from side edges of the stem convex portionto the periphery of the pixel. Further, an extension direction of theside edges of the stem convex portion that is not joined to the branchconvex portions is parallel to the X axis and is parallel to the Y axis.

SUMMARY

The technique disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2011-232736 may effectively suppress occurrence of theabove problem in the fine slit structure, but dark lines are easilygenerated in a part of the stem convex portion. Moreover, it isnecessary to reduce the occurrence of dark lines, that is, to realizeuniform and high light transmittance. Further, in order to regulatealignment of liquid crystal molecules in application of voltage, apre-tilt is given to the liquid crystal molecules in a liquid crystallayer when a liquid crystal display apparatus is manufactured. Here, inorder to give the pre-tilt to the liquid crystal molecules, the liquidcrystal layer is exposed in a desired electric field for a predeterminedtime. However, certain time is necessary until alignment of the liquidcrystal molecules exposed in the desired electric field is stabilized.

FIG. 49A is a photomicrograph illustrating an alignment state of liquidcrystal molecules in three pixels when a liquid crystal layer startsbeing exposed in a desired electric field for a predetermined time inorder to give a pre-tilt to the liquid crystal molecules, and FIG. 49Bis a photomicrograph illustrating an alignment state of liquid crystalmolecules in three pixels after a liquid crystal layer is exposed in adesired electric field for a predetermined time in order to give apre-tilt to the liquid crystal molecules. Solid lines that extend in atransverse direction represent a black matrix provided between pixels.As shown in FIG. 49A, when the liquid crystal layer starts being exposedin the desired electric field for the predetermined time in order togive the pre-tilt to the liquid crystal molecules, a central part of aboundary portion of the liquid crystal molecules that are present in aregion corresponding to four quadrants to be described later is notpositioned at the center of the pixel. On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 49B, after the liquid crystal layer is exposed in the desiredelectric field for the predetermined time in order to give the pre-tiltto the liquid crystal molecules, the central part of the boundaryportion of the liquid crystal molecules that are present in the regioncorresponding to four quadrants is positioned at the center of thepixel. In a liquid crystal display apparatus in the related art shown inFIG. 48 (details of which will be described later), about 5 to 10minutes are necessary until the state shown in FIG. 49A is changed tothe state shown in FIG. 49B.

Thus, it is desirable to provide a liquid crystal display apparatus thatis capable of realizing uniform and high light transmittance. Further,it is also desirable to provide a liquid crystal display apparatushaving a configuration or structure that is capable of giving a pre-tiltto liquid crystal molecules in a short time.

According to some aspects, a liquid crystal display panel comprising anelectrode is provided. The electrode comprises a plurality of convexbranch electrode portions arranged in a plane, the convex branchelectrode portions being convex when viewed from a first directionperpendicular to the plane and extending from a central region of theelectrode to a periphery of the electrode, and a plurality of concavebranch electrode portions, the concave branch electrode portions beingconcave when viewed from the first direction, extending from the centralregion to the periphery and adjacent to convex branch electrodeportions. According to some aspects, a method of applying a pretilt tomolecules in a liquid crystal layer of a liquid crystal display panel byapplying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer via first and secondelectrodes is provided.

As a result, it is possible to increase an alignment regulation forcewith respect to the liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of thecenter of the pixel, and to reliably regulate the tilt state of theliquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the center of the pixel.

According to this configuration, although the liquid crystal layer isexposed in a desired electric field for a predetermined time to give apre-tilt to the liquid crystal molecules when the liquid crystal displayapparatus is manufactured, it is possible to reduce the time necessaryuntil the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules exposed in thedesired electric field is stabilized. That is, it is possible to givethe pre-tilt to the liquid crystal molecules in a short time, and toreduce the manufacturing time of the liquid crystal display apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a local sectional view schematically illustrating a liquidcrystal display apparatus according to Example 1 of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms the liquid crystal displayapparatus according to Example 1;

FIG. 3A is a local sectional view schematically illustrating the firstelectrode and the like, taken along arrow IIIA-IIIA in FIG. 2, in theliquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 1, and FIG. 3B isa local sectional view schematically illustrating an enlarged part ofthe first electrode and the like in FIG. 3A;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are plan views schematically illustrating a part of afirst electrode corresponding to one pixel that forms a liquid crystaldisplay apparatus according to Example 2, respectively;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are plan views schematically illustrating a part of thefirst electrode corresponding to one pixel that forms the liquid crystaldisplay apparatus according to Example 2, respectively;

FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms a liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Example 3;

FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms a liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Example 4;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams schematically illustrating an operation ofliquid crystal molecules in a convex portion in Example 4 or the like,respectively;

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are a diagram schematically illustrating anarrangement state of a convex portion, a concave portion, a centralregion and the like, a diagram schematically illustrating an arrangementstate of a slit portion provided in a first electrode, and a diagramillustrating an overlapped state of the concave and convex portions andthe slit portion, in a pixel that forms a liquid crystal displayapparatus according to Example 5, respectively;

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C are a diagram schematically illustrating anarrangement state of a convex portion, a concave portion, a centralregion and the like, a diagram schematically illustrating an arrangementstate of a slit portion provided in a first electrode, and a diagramillustrating an overlapped state of the concave and convex portions andthe slit portion, in a modification example of a pixel that forms theliquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 5, respectively;

FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C are a diagram schematically illustrating anarrangement state of a convex portion, a concave portion, a centralregion and the like, a diagram schematically illustrating an arrangementstate of a slit portion provided in a first electrode, and a diagramillustrating an overlapped state of the concave and convex portions andthe slit portion, in another modification example of a pixel that formsthe liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 5,respectively;

FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C are a diagram schematically illustrating anarrangement state of a convex portion, a concave portion, a centralregion and the like, a diagram schematically illustrating an arrangementstate of a slit portion provided in a first electrode, and a diagramillustrating an overlapped state of the concave and convex portions andthe slit portion, in another modification example of a pixel that formsthe liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 5,respectively;

FIG. 13A is a schematic sectional view taken along arrow XIIIA-XIIIA inFIG. 9C, FIG. 13B is a schematic sectional view taken along arrowXIIIB-XIIIB in FIG. 10C, FIG. 13C is a schematic sectional view takenalong arrow XIIIC-XIIIC in FIG. 11C, and FIG. 13D is a schematicsectional view taken along arrow XIIID-XIIID in FIG. 12C;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are a diagram schematically illustrating anarrangement state of a convex portion, a concave portion, a slit portionand the like, and a schematic sectional view of a first electrode takenalong arrow XIVB-XIVB in FIG. 14A, in another modification example of apixel that forms the liquid crystal display apparatus according toExample 5, respectively;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams schematically illustrating an arrangementstate of a convex portion, a concave portion, a slit portion and thelike, and a schematic sectional view of a first electrode taken alongarrow XVB-XVB in FIG. 15A, in another modification example of a pixelthat forms the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 5,respectively;

FIG. 16 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms a liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Example 6;

FIG. 17A is a plan view schematically illustrating a part of the firstelectrode in a central region of one pixel that forms the liquid crystaldisplay apparatus according to Example 6, and FIGS. 17B and 17C arelocal sectional views schematically illustrating a part of the firstelectrode in the central region of one pixel that forms the liquidcrystal display apparatus according to Example 6;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are plan views schematically illustrating a part ofthe first electrode in the central region of one pixel that forms theliquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 6, respectively;

FIG. 19 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms a liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Example 7;

FIG. 20 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms a liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Example 8;

FIGS. 21A and 21B are plan views schematically illustrating an enlargedpart of the first electrode surrounded by a circular region in theschematic plan view of the first electrode in FIG. 20, respectively;

FIG. 22 is a plan view schematically illustrating an enlarged part ofthe first electrode surrounded by the circular region in the schematicplan view of the first electrode in FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms a modification example (seeExample 4) of a liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 8;

FIG. 24 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms a modification example (seeExample 5) of the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example8;

FIG. 25 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms a modification example (seeExample 5) of the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example8;

FIG. 26 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms a modification example (seeExample 5) of the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example8;

FIG. 27 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms another modification example (seeExample 6) of the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example8;

FIG. 28 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms another modification example (seeExample 7) of the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example8;

FIG. 29 is a local sectional view schematically illustrating a liquidcrystal display apparatus according to Example 9;

FIG. 30 is a local sectional view schematically illustrating amodification example of the liquid crystal display apparatus accordingto Example 9;

FIG. 31 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms a liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Example 10;

FIGS. 32A, 32B and 32C are local sectional views schematicallyillustrating the first electrode and the like taken along arrowsXXXIIA-XXXIIA, XXXIIB-XXXIIB and XXXIIC-XXXIIC in FIG. 31 in the liquidcrystal display apparatus according to Example 10, and FIG. 32D is alocal sectional view schematically illustrating an enlarged part of thefirst electrode in FIG. 32C;

FIGS. 33A and 33B are conceptual diagrams illustrating a liquid crystaldisplay apparatus in the related art and an operation of liquid crystalmolecules in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example10, respectively;

FIG. 34 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms a liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Example 11;

FIG. 35 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms a liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Example 12;

FIGS. 36A and 36B are local sectional views schematically illustratingthe first electrode and the like taken along arrows XXXVIA-XXXVIA andXXXVIB-XXXVIB in FIG. 34 in the liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Example 11, FIG. 36C is a local sectional viewschematically illustrating the first electrode and the like taken alongarrows XXXVIC-XXXVIC in FIG. 35 in a liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Example 12, and FIG. 36D is a local sectional viewschematically illustrating an enlarged part of the first electrode inFIG. 36C;

FIG. 37 is a plan view schematically illustrating a modification exampleof the first electrode corresponding to one pixel that forms the liquidcrystal display apparatus according to Example 12;

FIG. 38 is a plan view schematically illustrating another modificationexample of the first electrode corresponding to one pixel that forms theliquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 12;

FIG. 39 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms a liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Example 13;

FIG. 40A is a diagram schematically illustrating a pre-tilt of liquidcrystal molecules, and FIGS. 40B and 40C are conceptual diagramsillustrating an operation of liquid crystal molecules in the liquidcrystal display apparatus according to Example 2;

FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the liquidcrystal display apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 42A and 42B are local sectional views schematically illustrating afirst substrate where a TFT and the like are formed, which show a statebefore concave and convex portions are formed in a first electrode;

FIG. 43 is a plan view schematically illustrating a part of a convexportion, for illustration of the pitch and width of the convex portion,and the width of a tip part of the convex portion;

FIG. 44 is a plan view schematically illustrating a part of a convexportion, for illustration of the pitch and width of the convex portion,and the width of a tip part of the convex portion;

FIGS. 45A, 45B and 45C are images indicating simulation results of lighttransmittance in Example 8-1, Example 8-2 and Comparative example 8,respectively;

FIG. 46 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms a modification example of theliquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 8;

FIGS. 47A and 47B are local sectional views schematically illustratingthe first electrode and the like taken along arrows XLVIIA-XLVIIA andXLVIIB-XLVIIB in FIG. 46, and FIG. 47C is a local sectional viewschematically illustrating an enlarged part of the first electrode inFIG. 47B;

FIG. 48 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms the liquid crystal displayapparatus in the related art; and

FIG. 49A is a photomicrograph illustrating an alignment state of liquidcrystal molecules in three pixels when a liquid crystal layer startsbeing exposed in a desired electric field for a predetermined time inorder to give a pre-tilt to the liquid crystal molecules, and FIG. 49Bis a photomicrograph illustrating an alignment state of liquid crystalmolecules in three pixels after a liquid crystal layer is exposed in adesired electric field for a predetermined time in order to give apre-tilt to the liquid crystal molecules.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described referring toexamples, but the present disclosure is not limited to the examples.Further, various numerical values or materials in the examples are shownas examples. Hereinafter, description will be made in the followingorder.

1. Overall description of liquid crystal display apparatus according toEmbodiment 1 to Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure

2. Example 1 (liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 1of the present disclosure)

3. Example 2 (modification of Example 1)

4. Example 3 (another modification of Example 1)

5. Example 4 (still another modification of Example 1)

6. Example 5 (still another modification of Example 1, liquid crystaldisplay apparatus according to Embodiment 1-A of the present disclosure,and liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of thepresent disclosure)

7. Example 6 (still another modification of Example 1, liquid crystaldisplay apparatus according to Embodiment 1-B of the present disclosure,liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 3-B of thepresent disclosure, and liquid crystal display apparatus according toEmbodiment 4 of the present disclosure)

8. Example 7 (still another modification of Example 1, liquid crystaldisplay apparatus according to Embodiment 1-C of the present disclosure,liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 3-C of thepresent disclosure, liquid crystal display apparatus according toEmbodiment 4-C of the present disclosure, and liquid crystal displayapparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure)

9. Example 8 (liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 2of the present disclosure, liquid crystal display apparatus according toEmbodiment 2-A of the present disclosure, liquid crystal displayapparatus according to Embodiment 2-B of the present disclosure, liquidcrystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 2-C of the presentdisclosure, liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 3of the present disclosure, liquid crystal display apparatus according toEmbodiment 3-B of the present disclosure, liquid crystal displayapparatus according to Embodiment 3-C of the present disclosure, liquidcrystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the presentdisclosure, liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 4-Cof the present disclosure, and liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure)

10. Example 9 (modification of Example 8)

11. Example 10 (another modification of Example 8)

12. Example 11 (modification of Example 10)

13. Example 12 (another modification of Example 10)

14. Example 13 (liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment5 of the present disclosure), and others

Overall description of liquid crystal display apparatus according toEmbodiment 1 to Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure

An arrangement state of convex portions or branch convex portions(hereinafter, may be referred to as “branch convex portions or thelike”) as mentioned above are referred to as a multi-domain electrodestructure. Here, since regions where extension directions of the branchconvex portions or the like are different are formed in one pixel, it ispossible to enhance a viewing angle characteristic. Preferably, aplurality of branch convex portions or the like that occupies a firstquadrant has an axis line that extends at 45 degrees with respect to theX axis, a plurality of branch convex portions or the like that occupiesa second quadrant has an axis line that extends at 135 degrees withrespect to the X axis, a plurality of branch convex portions or the likethat occupies a third quadrant has an axis line that extends at 225degrees with respect to the X axis, and a plurality of branch convexportions or the like that occupies a fourth quadrant has an axis linethat extends at 315 degrees with respect to the X axis, but this values(angles) are not limitative. Further, “assuming that the X axis and theY axis pass through the center of a pixel” specifically represents“assuming that an (X, Y) coordinate system is formed by the X axis andthe Y axis that pass through the center of the pixel and are in parallelto edge portions of the pixel”, for example. Except for a liquid crystaldisplay apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure,it is preferable that the branch convex portions or the like be linearlysymmetric with respect to the X axis and be also symmetric with respectto the Y axis. Further, in a liquid crystal display apparatus accordingto Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure, it ispreferable that the branch convex portions or the like be rotationallysymmetric (point symmetric) with respect to the center of the pixel at180 degrees.

In a liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of thepresent disclosure, a stem convex portion is not provided, differentlyfrom a liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of thepresent disclosure. Convex portions in the liquid crystal displayapparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosuresubstantially corresponds to branch convex portions in the liquidcrystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the presentdisclosure. Here, each convex portion that extends from the X axis andoccupies a first quadrant is joined to each convex portion that extendsfrom the X axis and occupies a fourth quadrant, each convex portion thatextends from the Y axis and occupies the first quadrant is joined toeach convex portion that extends from the Y axis and occupies a secondquadrant, each convex portion that extends from the X axis and occupiesthe second quadrant is joined to each convex portion that extends fromthe X axis and occupies a third quadrant, and each convex portion thatextends from the Y axis and occupies the third quadrant is joined toeach convex portion that extends from the Y axis and occupies the fourthquadrant.

Further, in such a configuration in the liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, a protrusion thatextends in a direction toward the periphery of a pixel may be providedat a junction of two convex portions. Here, the protrusion may besurrounded by a plurality of segments, a single curve, a plurality ofcurves, or a combination of a segment and a curve. The tip of theprotrusion may be in contact with the junction of two adjacent convexportions in the direction toward the periphery of the pixel. Here, theliquid crystal display apparatus in which the contact portion is longsubstantially corresponds to the liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.

Further, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment1 of the present disclosure, a configuration may be used in which eachconvex portion that extends from the X axis or the vicinity thereof andoccupies the first quadrant is not joined to each convex portion thatextends from the X axis or the vicinity thereof and occupies the fourthquadrant, each convex portion that extends from the Y axis or thevicinity thereof and occupies the first quadrant is not joined to eachconvex portion that extends from the Y axis or the vicinity thereof andoccupies the second quadrant, each convex portion that extends from theX axis or the vicinity thereof and occupies the second quadrant is notjoined to each convex portion that extends from the X axis or thevicinity thereof and occupies the third quadrant, and each convexportion that extends from the Y axis or the vicinity thereof andoccupies the third quadrant is not joined to each convex portion thatextends from the Y axis or the vicinity thereof and occupies the fourthquadrant.

In the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of thepresent disclosure that includes preferable various structures orconfigurations described above, the width of the convex portion may benarrowed toward the periphery of the pixel.

Further, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment1 of the present disclosure that includes preferable various structuresor configurations described above, a slit portion may be formed in afirst electrode. This configuration is referred to as a “liquid crystaldisplay apparatus according to Embodiment 1-A of the presentdisclosure”, for ease of description.

Here, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment1-A of the present disclosure, the slit portion may be formed in aconcave portion region, but the slit portion may be preferably formed ina convex portion region. Further, in such a configuration, the slitportion may be provided in a convex portion region including a centralregion (central part) of the pixel, may be formed in a convex portionregion that extends toward the central region of the pixel, or may beformed in a convex portion region provided in a region that is narrowedby the convex portions that extend toward the central region of thepixel and the Y axis. The width of the slit portion may be 1 μm to 4 μm,and preferably, 2 μm to 3 μm, for example. This is similarly applied todescription about a slit portion to be described below.

Further, the slit portion that extends in parallel with the convexportion may be formed at a top part of the convex portion, or the slitportion that extends in parallel with the concave portion may be formedat a bottom part of the concave portion. In this case, the slit portionmay be formed in the entire convex portion or may be formed in a part ofthe convex portion. In a case where the slit portion is formed in thepart of the convex portion, it is preferable to form the slit portion inthe convex portion in a central region (central part) of the pixel andin the vicinity thereof. Further, the slit portion may be formed in theentire concave portion or may be formed in a part of the concaveportion. In a case where the slit portion is formed in the part of theconcave portion, it is preferable to form the slit portion in theconcave portion in the central region (central part) of the pixel and inthe vicinity thereof. Further, the slit portion that extends in parallelwith the convex portion may be formed at a top part of the convexportion, and the slit portion that extends in parallel with the concaveportion may be formed at a bottom part of the concave portion. In thiscase, the slit portion may be formed in the entire convex portion, ormay be formed in a part of the convex portion. Further, the slit portionmay be formed in the entire concave portion or may be formed in a partof the concave portion. In a part of the top surface of the convexportion where the slit portion is not provided, the first electrode isformed, and in a part of the bottom part of the concave portion wherethe slit portion is not provided, the first electrode is formed. Here,it is necessary to form the slit portion so that a convex portion is notseparated from the other convex portions due to the slit portion, or sothat a concave portion is not separated from the other concave portionsdue to the slit portion. However, in a display apparatus of a so-calledmulti pixel driving method in which one pixel is divided into aplurality of regions and the respective regions are independentlydriven, in the respective regions, it is preferable to form the slitportion so that a convex portion is not separated from the other convexportions due to the slit portion, or so that a concave portion is notseparated from the other concave portions due to the slit portion. In acase where the slit portion is provided at the top surface of the convexportion, the width of the convex portion and the width of the slitportion may have the relationship of 0.2≦(width of slit portion/width ofconvex portion)≦0.8, for example, and in a case where the slit portionis provided at the bottom surface of the concave portion, the width ofthe concave portion and the width of the slit portion may have therelationship of 0.2≦(width of slit portion/width of concaveportion)≦0.8. This is similarly applied to description about a slitportion to be described below.

Further, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment1-A of the present disclosure and the liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure that includes theabove-described preferable various configurations or structures, arecess may be provided in the first electrode in a central region of thepixel. Such a configuration is referred to as the “liquid crystaldisplay apparatus according to Embodiment 1-B of the presentdisclosure”, for ease of description.

Here, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment1-B of the present disclosure, the recess may be narrowed toward thefirst electrode. That is, the recess may have a so-called forwardtapered slope. Here, the recess is not limited thereto, and may have avertical surface. In the configuration where the recess is narrowedtoward the first electrode, an inclination angle of the recess may be 5degrees to 60 degrees, and preferably 20 degrees to 30 degrees. Further,in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 1-B ofthe present disclosure that includes such a preferable configuration, anouter shape of the recess may be a circle or a rectangle. In the lattercase, an angle formed by an outer edge of the rectangular recess and theextension direction of the convex portion (angle formed by the outeredge of the rectangular recess and the extension direction of the convexportion where the outer edge and an extension portion of the convexportion intersect with each other) may be 90 degrees or may be an acuteangle. The outer shape of the recess is not limited thereto, and anyshape in which the liquid crystal molecules fall down toward the centerof the pixel may be used.

Further, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment1-B of the present disclosure that includes the above-describedpreferable configuration, a configuration in which the central part ofthe recess forms a part of a contact hole may be used.

The regulation relating to the liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to the above-described Embodiment 1-B of the presentdisclosure may be applied to a liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Embodiment 2-B of the present disclosure and a liquidcrystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 3-B of the presentdisclosure to be described later.

Further, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment1-A of the present disclosure, Embodiment 1-B of the present disclosure,and Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure that includes the abovedescribed preferable various configurations, the convex portions thatextend from the X axis or the vicinity thereof and occupy the firstquadrant and the convex portions that extend from the X axis or thevicinity thereof and occupy the fourth quadrant may be formed in a stateof deviating from each other; the convex portions that extend from the Yaxis or the vicinity thereof and occupy the first quadrant and theconvex portions that extend from the Y axis or the vicinity thereof andoccupy the second quadrant may be formed in a state of deviating fromeach other; the convex portions that extend from the X axis or thevicinity thereof and occupy the second quadrant and the convex portionsthat extend from the X axis or the vicinity thereof and occupy the thirdquadrant may be formed in a state of deviating from each other; and theconvex portions that extend from the Y axis or the vicinity thereof andoccupy the third quadrant and the convex portions that extend from the Yaxis or the vicinity thereof and occupy the fourth quadrant may beformed in a state of deviating from each other. Such a configuration isreferred to as a “liquid crystal display apparatus according toEmbodiment 1-C of the present disclosure”, for ease of description.

When the formation pitch of the convex portions along the X axis isP_(x) and the formation pitch of the convex portions along the Y axis isP_(y), it is preferable that the convex portions that extend from the Xaxis or the vicinity thereof and occupy the first quadrant and theconvex portions that extend from the X axis or the vicinity thereof andoccupy the fourth quadrant be formed in a state of deviating from eachother by (P_(x)/2); the convex portions that extend from the Y axis orthe vicinity thereof and occupy the first quadrant and the convexportions that extend from the Y axis or the vicinity thereof and occupythe second quadrant be formed in a state of deviating from each other(P_(y)/2); the convex portions that extend from the X axis or thevicinity thereof and occupy the second quadrant and the convex portionsthat extend from the X axis or the vicinity thereof and occupy the thirdquadrant be formed in a state of deviating from each other by (P_(x)/2);and the convex portions that extend from the Y axis or the vicinitythereof and occupy the third quadrant and the convex portions thatextend from the Y axis or the vicinity thereof and occupy the fourthquadrant be formed in a state of deviating from each other by (P_(y)/2).This is similarly applied to a liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Embodiment 2-C of the present disclosure, a liquid crystaldisplay apparatus according to Embodiment of 3-C of the presentdisclosure, and a liquid crystal display apparatus according toEmbodiment of 4-C of the present disclosure.

Similarly, in a liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment5 of the present disclosure, when the formation pitch of branch convexportions along the X axis is P_(x) and the formation pitch of the branchconvex portions along the Y axis is P_(y), it is preferable that thebranch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Xaxis and occupy the first quadrant and the branch convex portions thatextend from the stem convex portion on the X axis and occupy the fourthquadrant be formed in a state of deviating from each other (P_(x)/2),the branch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion onthe Y axis and occupy the first quadrant and the branch convex portionsthat extend from the stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy thesecond quadrant be formed in a state of deviating from each other(P_(y)/2), the branch convex portions that extend from the stem convexportion on the X axis and occupy the second quadrant and the branchconvex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the X axisand occupy the third quadrant be formed in a state of deviating fromeach other (P_(x)/2), and the branch convex portions that extend fromthe stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the third quadrant andthe branch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion onthe Y axis and occupy the fourth quadrant be formed in a state ofdeviating from each other (P_(y)/2).

In a liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of thepresent disclosure, a side edge part of the stem convex portion that isnot joined to the branch convex portions may be a straight line shapeand/or a curved line shape, that is, may be the straight line shape, thecurved line shape or a combination of the straight line shape and thecurved line shape.

In the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of thepresent disclosure that includes such a preferable configuration, thewidth of a part of the stem convex portion that is not joined to thebranch convex portions may be decreased toward a tip part of the stemconvex portion.

Further, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment2 of the present disclosure that includes such a preferableconfiguration, the width of the branch convex portion may be decreasedtoward the periphery of the pixel.

Furthermore, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according toEmbodiment 2 of the present disclosure that includes the above-describedvarious preferable configurations, a slit portion may be formed in thefirst electrode. Such a configuration is referred to as a “liquidcrystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 2-A of the presentdisclosure”, for ease of description.

Here, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment2-A of the present disclosure, the slit portion may be formed in aconcave portion region, but the slit portion may be preferably formed ina convex portion region. Further, in such a configuration, the slitportion may be provided in a convex portion region including a centralregion (central part) of the pixel, may be formed in a convex portionregion that extends toward the central region of the pixel, or may beformed in a convex portion region provided in a region that is narrowedby the branch convex portions that extend toward the central region ofthe pixel and the Y axis. Further, the slit portion that extends inparallel with the convex portion may be formed at a top part of theconvex portion, or the slit portion that extends in parallel with theconcave portion may be formed at a bottom part of the concave portion.It is necessary to form the slit portion so that a convex portion is notseparated from the other convex portions due to the slit portion, or sothat a concave portion is not separated from the other convex portionsdue to the slit portion. In a display apparatus of the above-mentionedmulti pixel driving method, it is preferable to form the slit portion asdescribed above.

In the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 2-A ofthe present disclosure and the liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure that includes theabove-described various configurations, a recess is provided in thefirst electrode in a central region of the pixel. Such a configurationis referred to as the “liquid crystal display apparatus according toEmbodiment 2-B of the present disclosure”, for ease of description.

In the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 2-A,Embodiment 2-B, and Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure that includesthe above-described preferable various configurations, a plurality ofbranch convex portions that occupies a first quadrant may extend inparallel in a direction where a value on the Y coordinate increases whena value on the X coordinate increases; a plurality of branch convexportions that occupies a second quadrant may extend in parallel in adirection where a value on the Y coordinate increases when a value onthe X coordinate decreases; a plurality of branch convex portions thatoccupies a third quadrant may extend in parallel in a direction where avalue on the Y coordinate decreases when a value on the X coordinatedecreases; and a plurality of branch convex portions that occupies afourth quadrant may extend in parallel in a direction where a value onthe Y coordinate decreases when a value on the X coordinate increases.

Further, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment2-A of the present disclosure, Embodiment 2-B of the present disclosure,and the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 2 ofthe present disclosure that includes the above-described variousconfigurations, the branch convex portions that extend from the stemconvex portion on the X axis and occupy the first quadrant and thebranch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Xaxis and occupy the fourth quadrant may be formed in a state ofdeviating from each other; the branch convex portions that extend fromthe stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the first quadrant andthe branch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion onthe Y axis and occupy the second quadrant may be formed in a state ofdeviating from each other; the branch convex portions that extend fromthe stem convex portion on the X axis and occupy the second quadrant andthe branch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion onthe X axis and occupy the third quadrant may be formed in a state ofdeviating from each other; and the branch convex portions that extendfrom the stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the third quadrantand the branch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portionon the Y axis and occupy the fourth quadrant may be formed in a state ofdeviating from each other. Such a configuration is referred to as a“liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 2-C of thepresent disclosure”, for ease of description.

In a liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of thepresent disclosure, a slit portion may be formed in a concave portionregion, but the slit portion may be preferably formed in a convexportion region. Further, in such a configuration, the slit portion maybe provided in a convex portion region including a central region(central part) of the pixel, may be formed in a convex portion regionthat extends toward the central region of the pixel, or may be formed ina convex portion region provided in a region that is narrowed by thebranch convex portions that extend toward the central region of thepixel and the Y axis. Further, the slit portion that extends in parallelwith the convex portion may be formed at the top of the convex portion,or the slit portion that extends in parallel with the concave portionmay be formed at the bottom part of the concave portion. It is necessaryto form the slit portion so that a convex portion is not separated fromthe other convex portions due to the slit portion, or so that a concaveportion is not separated from the other convex portions due to the slitportion. In a display apparatus of the above-mentioned multi pixeldriving method, it is preferable to form the slit portion as describedabove.

Further, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment3 of the present disclosure that includes the above-described preferablevarious configurations, the width of the convex may be narrowed towardthe periphery of the pixel.

Furthermore, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according toEmbodiment 3 of the present disclosure that includes the above-describedpreferable configurations, a recess is provided in the first electrodein a central region of the pixel. Such a configuration is referred to asa “liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 3-B of thepresent disclosure”, for ease of description.

Further, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment3-B, and the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 3of the present disclosure that includes the above-described preferableconfigurations, assuming that the X axis and the Y axis pass through thecenter of a pixel, a plurality of concave and convex portions mayinclude a stem convex portion that extends on the X axis and the Y axis,and a plurality of branch convex portions that extends from a side edgeof the stem convex portion toward the periphery of the pixel. Further,in this case, a plurality of branch convex portions that occupies afirst quadrant may extend in parallel in a direction where a value onthe Y coordinate increases when a value on the X coordinate increases; aplurality of branch convex portions that occupies a second quadrant mayextend in parallel in a direction where a value on the Y coordinateincreases when a value on the X coordinate decreases; a plurality ofbranch convex portions that occupies a third quadrant may extend inparallel in a direction where a value on the Y coordinate decreases whena value on the X coordinate decreases; and a plurality of branch convexportions that occupies a fourth quadrant may extend in parallel in adirection where a value on the Y coordinate decreases when a value onthe X coordinate increases. Further, the branch convex portions thatextend from the stem convex portion on the X axis and occupy the firstquadrant and the branch convex portions that extend from the stem convexportion on the X axis and occupy the fourth quadrant may be formed in astate of deviating from each other; the branch convex portions thatextend from the stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the firstquadrant and the branch convex portions that extend from the stem convexportion on the Y axis and occupy the second quadrant may be formed in astate of deviating from each other; the branch convex portions thatextend from the stem convex portion on the X axis and occupy the secondquadrant and the branch convex portions that extend from the stem convexportion on the X axis and occupy the third quadrant may be formed in astate of deviating from each other; and the branch convex portions thatextend from the stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the thirdquadrant and the branch convex portions that extend from the stem convexportion on the Y axis and occupy the fourth quadrant may be formed in astate of deviating from each other. Such a configuration is referred toas a “liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 3-C ofthe present disclosure”, for ease of description.

In a liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of thepresent disclosure, a configuration in which the central part of therecess forms a part of a contact hole may be used. Here, the regulationrelating to the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment1-B of the present disclosure may be applied to the liquid crystaldisplay apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure.

In the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of thepresent disclosure that includes the above-described preferableconfiguration, the regulation relating to the liquid crystal displayapparatus according to Embodiment 3-C of the present disclosure may beapplied thereto, and such a liquid crystal display apparatus is referredto as a “liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 4-C ofthe present disclosure”, for ease of description.

In the liquid crystal display apparatuses according to Embodiment 1 to 5of the present disclosure that include the above-described preferableconfigurations (hereinafter, may be generally referred to as the “liquidcrystal display apparatus of the present disclosure”), in theconfiguration in which the width of a branch convex portion or the likeis narrowed toward the periphery of the pixel, the width of the branchconvex portion or the like may be linearly narrowed toward the peripheryof the pixel (configuration in which each side edge that forms thebranch convex portion or the like includes one segment and the rate ofchange of the width is constant), but the configuration is notlimitative. That is, the width may be narrowed in a curved shape(configuration in which each side edge that forms the branch convexportion or the like includes one smooth curve and the rate of change ofthe width varies). Further, each side edge that forms the branch convexportion or the like may be formed by two or more segments or curves, ormay be narrowed in a step shape (configuration in which each side edgethat forms the branch convex portion or the like has a step shape).

In the liquid crystal display apparatus of the present disclosure, analignment regulating portion may be formed in a part of the secondelectrode that faces the X axis and the Y axis. If the alignmentregulating portion is formed in the part of the second electrodecorresponding to the stem convex portion in this way, an electric fieldgenerated by the second electrode is distorted in the vicinity of thealignment regulating portion, and the direction where the liquid crystalmolecules disposed in the vicinity of the alignment regulating portionfall down is regulated. Consequently, it is possible to increase analignment regulation force with respect to the liquid crystal moleculesin the vicinity of the alignment regulating portion, and to reliablyregulate the tilt state of the liquid crystal molecules in the vicinityof the alignment regulating portion. Thus, when an image is displayed,it is possible to reliably suppress the problem that dark lines aregenerated in a part of the image corresponding to the X axis and the Yaxis. That is, it is possible to provide a liquid crystal displayapparatus capable of realizing uniform and high light transmittancewhile maintaining an excellent voltage response characteristic, toachieve reduction in cost of a light source that forms a backlight andlow power consumption, and to achieve improvement in reliability of theTFT.

The alignment regulating portion may be formed as a second electrodeslit portion provided in the second electrode, may be formed as a secondelectrode protrusion provided in the second electrode, or may be formedas a part of the second electrode of a protrusion shape. For example,the second electrode protrusion is formed of a resist material, and thesecond electrode is not formed thereon. In order to provide the part ofthe protrusion-shaped second electrode, a convex portion may be formedon a lower side of the second electrode. Further, the part of theprotrusion-shaped second electrode may be provided by the same method asa convex portion forming method of the concave and convex portions inthe first electrode.

Further, in the liquid crystal display apparatus of the presentdisclosure, a plurality of step portions may be formed in the convexportion provided in the first electrode. Further, the cross-sectionalshape of the convex portion when the convex portion is cut on a virtualvertical plane orthogonal to the extension direction of the stem convexportion may be a cross-sectional shape that the step portions go downfrom the center of the cross-sectional shape of the convex portiontoward edges of the cross-sectional shape of the convex portion.Further, the cross-sectional shape of the convex portion when the convexportion is cut on a virtual vertical plane parallel to the extensiondirection of the convex portion may be a cross-sectional shape that thestep portions go down from the center of the cross-sectional shape ofthe convex portion toward edges of the cross-sectional shape of theconvex portion. If the plurality of step portions (height difference) isformed in the convex portion in this way, strong and weak parts of anelectric field are generated in the convex portion, to thereby cause alateral electric field. As a result, it is possible to strengthen thealignment regulation force with respect to the liquid crystal moleculesat the central part of the convex portion, and to reliably regulate thetilt state of the liquid crystal molecules at the central part of theconvex portion. Thus, when an image is displayed, it is possible toreliably suppress the problem that dark lines are generated in a part ofthe image corresponding to the convex portion. That is, it is possibleto provide a liquid crystal display apparatus capable of realizinguniform and high light transmittance while maintaining an excellentvoltage response characteristic, to achieve reduction in cost of a lightsource that forms a backlight and low power consumption, and to achieveimprovement in reliability of the TFT.

In the liquid crystal display apparatuses of the present disclosure thatincludes the above-described various preferable configurations, theliquid crystal molecules may have a negative dielectric anisotropy.

The liquid crystal display apparatus or the liquid crystal displaydevice of the present disclosure may be obtained by a method ofmanufacturing the liquid crystal display apparatus or the liquid crystaldisplay device, including forming a first electrode on a first substrateand forming a first alignment film on an opposed surface of the firstsubstrate that faces a second substrate and on the first electrode;forming a second electrode on the second substrate and forming a secondalignment film on an opposed surface of the second substrate that facesthe first substrate and on the second electrode; arranging the firstsubstrate and the second substrate so that the first alignment film andthe second alignment film face each other and sealing a liquid crystallayer between the first alignment film and the second alignment film;and applying a predetermined electric field to align liquid crystalmolecules.

Further, in this case, it is preferable to apply the electric field sothat the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a direction of beinginclined with respect to a surface of at least one substrate of the pairof substrates. Here, basically, when a pre-tilt is given, an azimuthangle (declination) of the liquid crystal molecules is regulated by thestrength and direction of the electric field, and a polar angle (zenithangle) is regulated by the strength of the electric field. As necessary,the azimuth angle (declination) and the polar angle (zenith angle) ofthe liquid crystal molecules when the pre-tilt is given may be regulatedby a molecular structure of an alignment film material.

The applying the predetermined electric field to align the liquidcrystal molecules includes causing an alignment control material toreact while applying the predetermined electric field to the liquidcrystal layer that includes the liquid crystal molecules and thealignment control material to align the liquid crystal molecules and togive the pre-tilt. Such a method of manufacturing the liquid crystaldisplay apparatus is referred to as a polymer stabilized alignment (PSA)method. Further, the application of the predetermined electric field toalign the liquid crystal molecules includes causing an alignment controlmaterial to react while applying the predetermined electric field to theliquid crystal layer in a state where the alignment film that includesthe alignment control material is formed on the opposed surface of atleast one substrate and the electrode to align the liquid crystalmolecules and to give the pre-tilt. Such a method of manufacturing theliquid crystal display apparatus is referred to as a field-inducedphoto-reactive alignment (FPA) method.

The pair of substrates includes a substrate that has a pixel electrodeand a substrate that has a counter electrode. Here, for example, thefirst substrate may be the substrate that has the pixel electrode, andthe second substrate may be the substrate that has the counterelectrode. A color filter layer is formed on the side of the substrate(second substrate) that has the counter electrode, or the color filterlayer is formed on the side of the substrate (first substrate) that hasthe pixel electrode. A circuit for driving the pixel such as a TFT isprovided on the substrate (first substrate) that has the pixelelectrode. A layer that includes the circuit for driving the pixel suchas a TFT may be referred to as a “TFT layer”. In a case where the colorfilter layer is formed on the side of the substrate (second substrate)that has the counter electrode, a planarizing layer is formed on the TFTlayer, and the first electrode is formed on the planarizing layer. Onthe other hand, in a case where the color filter layer is formed on theside of the substrate (first substrate) that has the pixel electrode,the color filter layer is formed on the TFT layer, and the firstelectrode is formed on the color filter layer, on an overcoat layerformed on the color filter layer or on a passivation film made of aninorganic material. In the liquid crystal display apparatus, in a casewhere the pixel includes a plurality of sub pixels, the pixel may bereplaced by the sub pixel. The first electrode and the second electrodemay be formed of a transparent conductive material having transparencysuch as indium tin oxide (ITO), IZO, ZnO or SnO. Further, the secondelectrode may be formed as a so-called solid electrode (non-patternedelectrode). For example, a first polarizing plate is attached to anouter surface of the first substrate, and a second polarizing plate isattached to an outer surface of the second substrate. The firstpolarizing plate and the second polarizing plate are disposed so thatabsorption axes thereof are orthogonal to each other. It is preferablethat the absorption axis of the first polarizing plate be parallel tothe X axis or the Y axis, and the absorption axis of the secondpolarizing plate be parallel to the Y axis or the X axis, but theabsorption axes are not limited thereto.

In the liquid crystal display apparatus of the present disclosure, asdescribed above, the width of the branch convex portion or the like maybe largest in a part of the branch convex portion or the like on the Xaxis or the vicinity thereof and on the Y axis and the vicinity thereof(for ease of description, referred to as a “base of the branch convexportion or the like”), and may be narrowed toward the periphery of thepixel, that is, toward the tip part of the branch convex portion or thelike. Here, it is assumed that the formation pitch of the branch convexportions or the like is “P”, and the width of the base of the branchconvex portion or the like is “W₁”, and the width of the tip part of thebranch convex portion or the like is “W₂”. As shown in FIGS. 43 and 44,when an angle formed by the X axis or the Y axis and one edge part (sideedge part) of the branch convex portion or the like is α₁ and an angleformed by the X axis or the Y axis and the other edge part of the branchconvex portion or the like is α₂, an angle α₀ formed by the X axis orthe Y axis and an axial line L₀ of the branch convex portion or the likemay be represented as follows: α₀={α₁+(180−α₂)}/2, where 0<α₁≦90 degreesand 90≦α₂<180 degrees. Further, in this case, when an intersection pointof the X axis or the Y axis and one side edge part is w₁₁, anintersection point of the X axis or the Y axis and the other side edgepart of the branch convex portion or the like is w₁₁′, and a point wherea straight line L₁ that passes through the intersection point w₁₁ and isorthogonal to the axial line L₀ of the branch convex portion or the likeintersects with the other edge part of the branch convex portion or thelike is w₁₂, the distance from the intersection point w₁₁ to theintersection point w₁₂ is defined as a width W₁ of the base part of thebranch convex portion or the like. Further, when an intersection pointwhere a straight line L₂ that is orthogonal to the axial line L₀ of thebranch convex portion or the like and is in contact with the tip part ofthe branch convex portion or the like intersects with the one side edgepart of the branch convex portion or the like (or an intersection pointwhere the straight line L₂ intersects with an extension line of the oneside edge part of the branch convex portion or the like) is w₂₁ and anintersection point of the straight line L₂ and the other side edge partof the branch convex portion or the like (or an intersection point ofthe straight line L₂ and an extension line of the other side edge partof the branch convex portion or the like) is w₂₂, the distance from theintersection point w₂₁ to the intersection point w₂₂ is defined as awidth W₂ of the tip part of the branch convex portion or the like. InFIG. 44, the extension line of the side edge part is indicated by adotted line. Further, the distance between the axial lines L₀ of theadjacent branch convex portions or the like is defined as a formationpitch “P” of the branch convex portion or the like. Further, when apoint where a straight line L₃ that passes through the intersectionpoint w′₁₁ and is parallel to the straight line L₁ intersects with oneside edge part of the branch convex portion or the like that faces (isadjacent to) the other side edge part of the branch convex portion orthe like is w₃₁, the distance from the intersection point w′₁₁ to theintersection point w₃₁ is defined as a distance W₃ between the branchconvex portions or the like. A total taper width TP of the branch convexportion or the like may be defined as follows: TP=W₁−W₂. Further, anaverage width W_(ave1) of the branch convex portion or the like and anaverage width W_(ave2) of the concave portion are as follows:W_(ave1)=(W1+W2)/2, and W_(ave2)=P−W_(ave1). Here, a value of W₃ may be1 μm to 10 μm, and preferably 2 μm to 5 μm, a value of W₂ may be 1 μm to10 μm, and preferably 2 μm to 5 μm, and a value of P may be 2 μm to 20μm, and preferably 2 μm to 10 μm. Further, a value of TP may be a valueof 0.1 times to 10 times W₃, for example. It is preferable that thesevalues be applied to the longest branch convex portion or the like.

An average minimum width and an average maximum width of the branchconvex portion or the like and the concave portions may be 1 μm to 25μm, and preferably 2 μm to 20 μm, for example. When the average minimumwidth of the branch convex portion or the like and the concave portionsis smaller than 1 μm, it is difficult to form the branch convex portionor the like and the concave portion and to secure a sufficientmanufacturing yield rate. On the other hand, if the average minimumwidth of the branch convex portion or the like and the concave portionis larger than 25 μm, it is difficult to generate a favorable obliqueelectric field between the first electrode and the second electrode whena drive voltage is applied to the first electrode and the secondelectrode. The width of the stem convex portion may be 2×10⁻⁶ m to2×10⁻⁵ m, and preferably 4×10⁻⁶ m to 1.5×10⁻⁵ m, for example. The heightfrom the concave portion to the closest convex portion may be 5×10⁻⁸ mto 1×10⁻⁶ m, preferably 1×10⁻⁷ m to 1×10⁻⁶ m, and more preferably 2×10⁻⁷m to 6×10⁻⁷ m, for example. The height of each step portion in theconvex portion (height difference between adjacent top faces of theconvex portion that form the step portion) may be 5×10⁻⁸ m to 1×10⁻⁶ m,and preferably 1×10⁻⁷ m to 5×10⁻⁷ m, for example. Thus, it is possibleto perform an excellent alignment control, to secure a sufficientmanufacturing yield rate, and to prevent reduction of the lighttransmittance and extension of the process time.

The liquid crystal display apparatus is illuminated by an existingplanar lighting device (backlight). The planar lighting device may be adirect planar light source device, or may be an edge light type planarlight source device (referred to as a side light type). Here, the directplanar light source device includes a light source disposed in a casing,a reflection member that is disposed in the part of the casingpositioned under the light source and reflects upward light emitted fromthe light source, and a diffusion plate that is mounted to a casingopening portion disposed above the light source and diffuses andtransmits the light emitted from the light source and the reflectedlight from the reflection member, for example. On the other hand, theedge light type planar light source device includes a conductive plateand a light source disposed on a side surface of the conductive plate,for example. Here, a reflection member is disposed under the conductiveplate, and a diffusion sheet and a prism sheet are disposed above theconductive plate. The light source includes a cold-cathode rayfluorescent lamp, for example, and emits white light. Alternatively, forexample, the light source includes a light emitting element such as anLED or semiconductor laser element. By controlling passage of the lightfrom the planar lighting device (backlight) by the liquid crystaldisplay apparatus, it is possible to display an image in the liquidcrystal display apparatus.

EXAMPLE 1

Example 1 relates to a liquid crystal display apparatus according toEmbodiment 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a local sectional viewschematically illustrating a liquid crystal display apparatus of Example1; FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms the liquid crystal displayapparatus of Example 1; FIG. 3A is a local sectional view schematicallyillustrating the first electrode and the like, taken along arrowIIIA-IIIA in FIG. 2; and FIG. 3B is a local sectional view schematicallyillustrating an enlarged part of the first electrode and the like inFIG. 3A.

A liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 1 or Examples 2to 13 (to be described later) includes arrangement of a plurality ofpixels 10(10A, 10B and 10C), each pixel including a first substrate 20and a second substrate 50; a first electrode (pixel electrode) 140, 240,340, 440 or 540 formed on an opposed surface of the first substrate 20that faces the second substrate 50; a first alignment film 21 thatcovers the first electrode 140, 240, 340, 440 or 540 and the opposedsurface of the first substrate 20; a second electrode (counterelectrode) 160 or 260 formed on an opposed surface of the secondsubstrate 50 that faces the first substrate 20; a second alignment film51 that covers the second electrode 160 or 260 and the opposed surfaceof the second substrate 50; and a liquid crystal layer 70 that includesliquid crystal molecules 71A, 71B and 71C provided between the firstalignment film 21 and the second alignment film 51. Here, a pre-tilt isgiven to the liquid crystal molecules, and a plurality of concave andconvex portions 141, 241, 341, 441 or 541 is formed in the firstelectrode 140, 240, 340, 440 or 540. Specifically, the pre-tilt is givento at least the liquid crystal molecules on the side of the firstalignment film 21. The liquid crystal molecules have a negativedielectric anisotropy.

The liquid crystal molecules 71 may be divided into liquid crystalmolecules 71A that are held on the first alignment film 21 in thevicinity of an interface with the first alignment film 21, liquidcrystal molecules 71B that are held on the second alignment film 51 inthe vicinity of an interface with the second alignment film 51, and theother liquid crystal molecules 71C. The liquid crystal molecules 71C arelocated at an intermediate position of the liquid crystal layer 70 inthe thickness direction, and are arranged so that the long axisdirection (director) of the liquid crystal molecules 71C isapproximately perpendicular to the first substrate 20 and the secondsubstrate 50 in a state where a drive voltage is in an off state. Here,if the drive voltage enters an on state, the liquid crystal molecules71C are orientated to be inclined so that the director of the liquidcrystal molecules 71C is parallel to the first substrate 20 and thesecond substrate 50. This operation is caused by a characteristic that adielectric constant in the long axis direction is smaller than that inthe short axis direction in the liquid crystal molecules 71C. The liquidcrystal molecules 71A and 71B have the same characteristic, and thus,basically show the same operation as that of the liquid crystalmolecules 71C according to the on and off state change in the drivevoltage. Here, when the drive voltage is in the off state, the liquidcrystal molecules 71A have a pre-tilt θ₁ that is given by the firstalignment film 21 or is given by a monomer that is mixed in the liquidcrystal in advance, and have a posture in which the director is inclinedwith respect to a normal direction of the first substrate 20 and thesecond substrate 50. Similarly, the liquid crystal molecules 71B have apre-tilt θ₂ that is given by the second alignment film 51 or is given bythe monomer that is mixed in the liquid crystal in advance, and have aposture in which the director is inclined with respect to the normaldirection of the first substrate 20 and the second substrate 50. Here,the term of “hold” means that alignment of the liquid crystal molecules71 is regulated while the alignment films 21 and 51 are not fixed to theliquid crystal molecules 71A and 71B. Further, when a direction (normaldirection) perpendicular to the surfaces of the first substrate 20 andthe second substrate 50 is represented as Z, as shown in FIG. 40A, the“pre-tilt θ (θ₁ and θ₂)” represents an inclination angle of a director Dof the liquid crystal molecules 71 (71A, 71B) with respect to the Zdirection when the drive voltage is in the off state.

In the liquid crystal layer 70, both the pre-tilts θ₁ and θ₂ have valueslarger than 0 degree. In the liquid crystal layer 70, the pre-tilts θ₁and θ₂ may be the same angle (θ₁=θ₂), or may be different angles(θ₁≠θ₂), but it is preferable that the pre-tilts θ₁ and θ₂ be differentangles. Thus, compared with a case where both the pre-tilts θ₁ and θ₂are 0 degree, it is possible to improve the response speed with respectto application of the drive voltage, and to obtain approximately thesame contrast as in a case where both the pre-tilts θ₁ and θ₂ are 0degree. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the amount of lighttransmission in black display while improving a response characteristic,and to improve contrast. In a case where the pre-tilts θ₁ and θ₂ havedifferent angles, it is preferable that a large pre-tilt θ among thepre-tilts θ₁ and θ₂ be 1 degree or more and 4 degrees or less. Bysetting the large pre-tilt θ within the above-mentioned range, it ispossible to obtain an especially high effect.

A TFT layer 30 (details thereof will be described later) is formed onthe first substrate 20, a planarizing layer 22 made of an organicinsulating material such as a photosensitive polyimide resin or anacrylic resin is formed on the TFT layer 30, and the first electrode140, 240, 340, 440 or 540 is formed on the planarizing layer 22.Reference numeral 146, 246, 346, 446 or 546 represents a portion of thefirst substrate 1 disposed between pixels. The planarizing layer 22 mayalso be formed of an inorganic insulating material such as SiO₂, SiN orSiON.

Further, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 1,assuming that the X axis and the Y axis pass through the center of apixel 10, and specifically, assuming that an (X, Y) coordinate system isformed by the X axis and the Y axis that are straight lines that passthrough the center of the pixel 10 and are parallel to edge portions ofthe pixel, a plurality of convex portions 144A₁ that occupies a firstquadrant extends in parallel in a direction where a value on the Ycoordinate increases when a value on the X coordinate increases, aplurality of convex portions 144A₂ that occupies a second quadrantextends in parallel in a direction where a value on the Y coordinateincreases when a value on the X coordinate decreases, a plurality ofconvex portions 144A₃ that occupies a third quadrant extends in parallelin a direction where a value on the Y coordinate decreases when a valueon the X coordinate decreases, and a plurality of convex portions 144A₄that occupies a fourth quadrant extends in parallel in a direction wherea value on the Y coordinate decreases when a value on the X coordinateincreases. The plurality of convex portions 144A₁ that occupies thefirst quadrant extends so that an axis line thereof forms 45 degreeswith respect to the X axis, the plurality of convex portions 144A₂ thatoccupies the second quadrant extends so that an axis line thereof forms135 degrees with respect to the X axis, the plurality of convex portions144A₃ that occupies the third quadrant extends so that an axis linethereof forms 225 degrees with respect to the X axis, and the pluralityof convex portions 144A₄ that occupies the fourth quadrant extends sothat an axis line thereof forms 315 degrees with respect to the X axis.The convex portions 144A are linearly symmetric with respect to the Xaxis, are also linearly symmetric with respect to the Y axis, and arerotationally symmetric (180 degrees, point symmetric) with respect tothe center of the pixel.

In the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 1, a stemconvex portion is not provided, differently from the liquid crystaldisplay apparatus according to Example 8 (to be described later), andthe convex portion 144A in the liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Example 1 corresponds to a branch convex portion in theliquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 8.

Further, each convex portion 144A₁₁ that extends from the X axis andoccupies the first quadrant is joined to each convex portion 144A₄₁ thatextends from the X axis and occupies the fourth quadrant, each convexportion 144A₁₂ that extends from the Y axis and occupies the firstquadrant is joined to each convex portion 144A₂₂ that extends from the Yaxis and occupies the second quadrant, each convex portion 144A₂₁ thatextends from the X axis and occupies the second quadrant is joined toeach convex portion 144A₃₁ that extends from the X axis and occupies thethird quadrant, and each convex portion 144A₃₂ that extends from the Yaxis and occupies the third quadrant is joined to each convex portion144A₄₂ that extends from the Y axis and occupies the fourth quadrant.That is, the planar shape of the convex portions 144A is a “V” shape.Reference numeral subscripts “11”, “12” and the like that representconvex portions, and reference numeral subscripts that represent convexportions in various examples to be described later represent parts ofthe same convex portions.

Side surfaces (side walls) of the convex portions, stem convex portionsor branch convex portions to be described later may be verticalsurfaces, may be tapered upward, or may be tapered downward. Further, inthe figures, hatched lines that extend in the longitudinal direction aregiven to the concave portions 145, 245, 345, 445 and 545.

A first polarizing plate (not shown) is attached to an outer surface ofthe first substrate 20, and a second polarizing plate (not shown) isattached to an outer surface of the second substrate 50. The firstpolarizing plate and the second polarizing plate are disposed so thatabsorption axes thereof are orthogonal to each other. The absorptionaxis of the first polarizing plate is parallel to the X axis or the Yaxis, and the absorption axis of the second polarizing plate is parallelto the Y axis or the X axis.

FIG. 41 shows a circuit configuration in the liquid crystal displayapparatus shown in FIG. 1 or the liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Examples 2 to 13 (to be described later).

As shown in FIG. 41, the liquid crystal display apparatus includes aliquid crystal display device that includes the plurality of pixels 10provided in a display region 80. In the liquid crystal displayapparatus, a source driver 81 and a gate driver 82, a timing controller83 that controls the source driver 81 and the gate driver 82, and apower supply circuit 84 that supplies electric power to the sourcedriver 81 and the gate driver 82 are provided around the display region80.

The display region 80 is a region where an image is displayed, which isa region configured to be able to display the image by the plurality ofpixels 10 that is arranged in a matrix form. FIG. 41 shows the displayregion 80 that includes the plurality of pixels 10, in which a regioncorresponding to four pixels 10 is separately enlarged.

In the display region 80, a plurality of source lines 91 is arranged inrows, and a plurality of gate lines 92 is arranged in columns. Eachpixel 10 is disposed at a position where the source line 91 and the gateline 92 intersect with each other. Each pixel 10 includes a TFT 93 and acapacitor 94 in addition to the first electrode 140 and the liquidcrystal layer 70. In each TFT 93, a source electrode is connected to thesource line 91, a gate electrode is connected to the gate line 92, and adrain electrode is connected to the capacitor 94 and the first electrode140. Each source line 91 is connected to the source driver 81, and issupplied with an image signal from the source driver 81. Each gate 92 isconnected to the gate driver 82, and is sequentially supplied with ascanning signal from the gate driver 82.

The source driver 81 and the gate driver 82 select a specific pixel 10from the plurality of pixels 10.

The timing controller 83 outputs an image signal (for example,respective RGB image signals corresponding to red, green and blue), anda source driver control signal for controlling an operation of thesource driver 81 to the source driver 81, for example. Further, thetiming controller 83 outputs a gate driver control signal forcontrolling an operation of the gate driver 82 to the gate driver 82,for example. A horizontal synchronous signal, a start pulse signal, asource driver clock signal or the like may be used as the source drivercontrol signal, for example. A vertical synchronous signal, a gatedriver clock signal or the like may be used as the gate driver controlsignal, for example.

In manufacturing of the liquid crystal display apparatus according toExample 1, first, the TFT is formed on the basis of the followingmethod, and then, a transparent conductive material layer made of ITO isformed on the opposed surface of the first substrate 20 on which theplanarizing layer 22 is formed. The first substrate 20 is formed of aglass substrate having a thickness of 0.7 mm.

That is, as shown in FIG. 42A, a gate electrode 31 is formed on aninsulating film 20′ formed on the first substrate 20, and a gateinsulating layer 32 is formed on the gate electrode 31 and theinsulating film 20. The gate insulating layer 32 is formed of SiO₂, SiN,SiON or metallic oxide, for example. Then, a semiconductor layer 33 thatis a channel formation region is formed on the gate insulating layer 32,and then, a source/drain electrode 34 is formed on the semiconductorlayer 33. The semiconductor layer 33 is formed of poly-silicon oramorphous silicon, for example, and the source/drain electrode 34 isformed of a metallic film such as titanium, chrome, aluminum,molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten or copper, or an alloy film or stackedfilms thereof. Thus, it is possible to obtain the TFT layer 30. The TFTlayer 30 may be formed on the basis of an existing method. The TFT isnot limited to a so-called bottom gate top contact type, and may be abottom gate bottom contact type, a top gate top contact type, or a topgate bottom contact type. Then, the planarizing layer 22 having athickness of 2.5 μm is formed on the entire surface, and then, aconnection hole 35 is formed in the planarizing layer 22 above onesource/drain electrode 34.

Then, a resist material layer is formed on the planarizing layer 22, andthen, exposure and development are performed to form concave and convexportions (the depth of the concave portions is 0.28 μm) on the resistmaterial layer. Here, by etching the resist material layer and theplanarizing layer 22, it is possible to form the concave and convexportions on the planarizing layer 22. Thereafter, by forming thetransparent conductive material layer 24 made of ITO having a thicknessof 0.1 μm on the entire surface, it is possible to obtain the concaveand convex portions 141 (convex portions 144A and concave portions 145).By patterning the transparent conductive material layer 24 on the basisof an existing method, it is possible to provide the first electrode 140in a matrix form. Specifications of the convex portion 144A and theconcave portion 145 are as shown in the following Table 1.

On the other hand, with respect to the second substrate 50, a colorfilter is formed on the second substrate 50 made of a glass substratehaving a thickness of 0.7 mm, and a second electrode 160 of a so-calledsolid electrode is formed on the color filter.

Table 1

Average height of convex portions: 0.2 μm

Formation pitch of convex portions: 5.0 μm

Width of convex portion: 2.5 μm

Width of concave portion: 2.5 μm

Then, the first alignment film 21 is formed on the first electrode 140,and the second alignment film 51 is formed on the second electrode 160.Specifically, the material of the alignment film is coated or printed oneach of the first electrode 140 and the second electrode 160, and then,is heated. The temperature of the heating process is preferably 80° C.or higher, and is more preferably 150° C. or higher and 200° C. orlower. Further, the heating process may be performed by graduallychanging the heating temperature. Thus, a solvent included in thematerial of the alignment film that is coated or printed is evaporated,and thus, the alignment films 21 and 51 that include a polymer compoundare formed. Thereafter, a rubbing process or the like may be performedas necessary. More specifically, as the first alignment film 21 and thesecond alignment film 51, a vertical alignment film material is coatedon the first electrode 140 and the second electrode 160 on the basis ofa spin coating method. Then, a drying process is performed at 80° C. for80 seconds on a hot plate, and a baking process is performed at 200° C.for 60 minutes in a clean oven in a nitrogen atmosphere to obtain thefirst alignment film 21 and the second alignment film 51.

Then, the first substrate 20 and the second substrate 50 are disposed sothat the alignment film 21 and the alignment film 51 face each other,and the liquid crystal layer 70 that includes the liquid crystalmolecules 71 is sealed between the alignment film 21 and the alignmentfilm 51. Specifically, by dispersing spacer protuberances for securing acell gap, for example, plastic beads having a diameter of 3.0 μm on thesurface on which the alignment film 21 or 51, of any one of the firstsubstrate 20 and the second substrate 50, and for example, by coating anultraviolet curing resin that includes silica particles having aparticle diameter of 3.5 μm to an outer edge on the second substrate 50by a screen printing method, a seal portion is formed. Then, a liquidcrystal material obtained by mixing a polymerizable monomer(specifically, an acrylic monomer) of 0.3% by mass into a negativeliquid crystal is instilled into a section surrounded by the sealportion. This method of manufacturing the liquid crystal displayapparatus is referred to as a PSA method. Then, the first substrate 20and the second substrate 50 are bonded, and the seal portion is cured.Thus, the liquid crystal layer 70 is sealed. Then, a voltage is appliedbetween the first electrode 140 and the second electrode 160 using avoltage applying section. For example, the voltage is 3 V to 30 V, andspecifically, corresponds to an AC electric field (60 Hz) of arectangular wave having an effective value voltage of 7 V. At the sametime, in order to cause the polymerizable monomer to react, a heatingprocess or ultraviolet irradiation is performed depending on apolymerizable monomer to be used. Thus, an electric field in a directionwhere a predetermined angle is formed with respect to the surfaces ofthe first substrate 20 and the second substrate 50 is generated, and theliquid crystal molecules 71 are aligned to be inclined in apredetermined direction with respect to the vertical direction of thefirst substrate 20 and the second substrate 50. That is, an azimuthangle (declination) of the liquid crystal molecules 71 at that time isregulated by the strength and direction of the electric field and thepolymerizable monomer mixed in the liquid crystal, and a polar angle(zenith angle) is regulated by the strength of the electric field andthe polymerizable monomer mixed in the liquid crystal. Accordingly, byappropriately adjusting the value of the voltage, it is possible tocontrol the values of the pre-tilts θ₁ and θ₂ of the liquid crystalmolecules 71A and 71B. Here, an oblique electric field is appliedbetween the first substrate 20 and the second substrate 50 by theconcave and convex portions 141 formed in the first electrode 140.Further, a polymer layer is formed in the vicinity of the opposedsurface of the substrate by reaction of the polymerizable monomer mixedin the liquid crystal. Then, a response direction of the liquid crystalmolecules 71 is regulated by the formed polymer layer, and the pre-tiltstate of the liquid crystal molecules 71 in the vicinity of the firstsubstrate 20 and the second substrate 50 is fixed by a reaction productof the polymerizable monomer. According to the above processes, it ispossible to complete a liquid crystal cell.

On the other hand, an alignment film having a function of storing apre-tilt is coated and formed on at least one electrode, and then, aseal portion is formed in an FPA type in which a negative liquid crystalis injected and sealed. Then, a liquid crystal material made of thenegative liquid crystal is dropped and injected into a portionsurrounded by the seal portion. Further, the first substrate 20 and thesecond substrate 50 are bonded, and the seal portion is cured usingultraviolet rays of a wavelength of 410 nm. Then, a voltage is appliedbetween the first electrode 140 and the second electrode 160 using avoltage applying section. For example, the voltage is 3 V to 30 V, andspecifically, corresponds to an AC electric field (60 Hz) of arectangular wave having an effective value voltage of 7 V. Thus, anelectric field in a direction where a predetermined angle is formed withrespect to the surfaces of the first substrate 20 and the secondsubstrate 50 is generated, and the liquid crystal molecules 71 arealigned to be inclined in a predetermined direction with respect to thevertical direction of the first substrate 20 and the second substrate50. That is, an azimuth angle (declination) of the liquid crystalmolecules 71 at that time is regulated by the strength and direction ofthe electric field and the structure of the molecules of the alignmentfilm material, and a polar angle (zenith angle) is regulated by thestrength of the electric field and the structure of the molecules of thealignment film. Accordingly, by appropriately adjusting the value of thevoltage, it is possible to control the values of the pre-tilts θ₁ and θ₂of the liquid crystal molecules 71A and 71B. Further, in a state wherethe voltage is applied, energy lines (specifically, ultraviolet raysUV), for example, uniform ultraviolet rays of 10 J (measured at awavelength of 360 nm) are irradiated to the alignment films 21 and 51from the outside of the first substrate 20. That is, the irradiation ofultraviolet rays is performed while applying an electric field or amagnetic field so that the liquid crystal molecules 71 are arranged inan oblique direction with respect to the surfaces of one pair ofsubstrates 20 and 50. Thus, a cross-linkable functional group or apolymerizable functional group included in a polymer compound in thealignment films 21 and 51 reacts to form cross-link. An oblique electricfield is applied between the first substrate 20 and the second substrate50 by the concave and convex portions 141 formed in the first electrode140. In this way, a response direction of the liquid crystal molecules71 is stored by the polymer compound, and a pre-tilt is given to theliquid crystal molecules 71 in the vicinity of the alignment films 21and 51. As a result, the pre-tilts θ₁ and θ₂ are given to the liquidcrystal molecules 71A and 71B disposed in the vicinity of the interfacewith the alignment films 21 and 51 in the liquid crystal layer 70 in anon-driven state. Ultraviolet rays that mainly include a light componentfrom a wavelength of about 295 nm to a wavelength of about 365 nm arepreferably used as the ultraviolet rays UV. This is because ifultraviolet rays that mainly include a light component of a wavelengthband shorter than the above-mentioned wavelength are used, there arefears that the liquid crystal molecules 71 are photolyzed anddeteriorated. Here, the ultraviolet rays UV are irradiated from theoutside of the first substrate 20, but may be irradiated from theoutside of the second substrate 50, or may be irradiated from theoutsides of both the first substrate 20 and the second substrate 50. Inthis case, it is preferable to irradiate the ultraviolet rays UV fromthe side of the substrate having high light transmittance. Further, in acase where the ultraviolet rays UV are irradiated from the outside ofthe second substrate 50, the ultraviolet rays UV may be absorbed intothe color filter according to a wavelength band of the ultraviolet raysUV, which may make it difficult to cause the cross-link reaction. Thus,it is preferable that the irradiation be performed from the outside ofthe first substrate 20 (from the side of the substrate that includes thepixel electrode).

Through the above-mentioned processes, it is possible to complete theliquid crystal display apparatus (liquid crystal display device) shownin FIG. 1 in which the liquid crystal molecules 71A on the side of thefirst substrate 20 and the second substrate 50 show the pre-tilt.Finally, a pair of polarizing plates (not shown) is attached to theoutside of the liquid crystal display apparatus so that absorption axesthereof intersect. The liquid crystal display apparatus according toExamples 2 to 13 to be described later may be manufactured byapproximately the same method.

In an operation of the liquid crystal display apparatus (liquid crystaldisplay device), if the drive voltage is applied in the selected pixel10, the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules 71 included inthe liquid crystal layer 70 is changed according to a voltage differencebetween the first electrode 140 and the second electrode 160.Specifically, as the drive voltage is applied from the state beforeapplication of the drive voltage shown in FIG. 1 in the liquid crystallayer 70, the liquid crystal molecules 71A and 71B disposed in thevicinity of the alignment films 21 and 51 fall down while rotating inthe inclination directions thereof, and the movement propagates to theother liquid crystal molecules 71C. Consequently, the liquid crystalmolecules 71 react to have a posture that is approximately horizontal(parallel) with respect to the first substrate 20 and the secondsubstrate 50. Thus, an optical characteristic of the liquid crystallayer 70 is changed, and incident light onto the liquid crystal displaydevice is changed into modulated outgoing light. Gray scale is expressedon the basis of the outgoing light, to thereby display an image.

In this liquid crystal display apparatus, by applying the drive voltagebetween the first electrode (pixel electrode) 140 and the secondelectrode (counter electrode) 160 using the following procedure, theimage is displayed. Specifically, the source driver 81 supplies anindividual image signal to a predetermined source line 91 by input of asource driver control signal from the timing controller 83, andsimilarly, on the basis of an image signal input from the timingcontroller 83. Further, the gate driver 82 sequentially supplies ascanning signal to the gate line 92 at a predetermined time by input ofthe gate driver control signal from the timing controller 83. Thus, thepixel 10 disposed at a point where the source line 91 supplied with theimage signal and the gate line 92 supplied with the scanning signalintersect is selected, and the drive voltage is applied to the pixel 10.

If a voltage is applied to the electrodes when an image is displayed inthe liquid crystal display apparatus, in the entire liquid crystallayer, the liquid crystal molecules are changed so that the director isparallel to the first substrate 20 and the second substrate 50. In theliquid crystal display apparatus disclosed in Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 2011-232736, the plurality of concave andconvex portions includes a stem convex portion that extends on the Xaxis and the Y axis, and a plurality of branch convex portions thatextends from a side edge of the stem convex portion toward the peripheryof the pixel. The extension direction of a side edge part of the stemconvex portion that is not joined to the branch convex portions isparallel to the X axis or the Y axis (see FIG. 48). Accordingly, darklines are easily generated in a part of the stem convex portion.

On the other hand, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according toExample 1, the plurality of convex portions 144A₁ that occupies thefirst quadrant extends in parallel in the direction where the value onthe Y coordinate increases as the value on the X coordinate increases,the plurality of convex portions 144A₂ that occupies the second quadrantextends in parallel in the direction where the value on the Y coordinateincreases as the value on the X coordinate decreases, the plurality ofconvex portions 144A₃ that occupies the third quadrant extends inparallel in the direction where the value on the Y coordinate decreasesas the value on the X coordinate decreases, and the plurality of convexportions 144A₄ that occupies the fourth quadrant extends in parallel inthe direction where the value on the Y coordinate decreases as the valueon the X coordinate increases. That is, a part of the convex portionthat extends in parallel with the X axis and a part of the convexportion that extends in parallel with the Y axis do not exist except fora tip part of the convex portion 144A. Here, by forming the tip part ofthe convex portion 144A with a segment orthogonal to the axis line ofthe convex portion 144A or by forming the tip part of the convex portion144A with a curve, it is possible to obtain a configuration in which thepart of the convex portion that extends in parallel with the X axis orthe part of the convex portion that extends in parallel with the Y axisdo not exist. Here, the absorption axis of the first polarizing plate isparallel to the X axis or the Y axis, the absorption axis of the secondpolarizing plate is parallel to the Y axis or the X axis. Accordingly,it is possible to reliably reduce the occurrence of dark lines. That is,it is possible to realize uniform and high light transmittance, and toobtain an excellent voltage response characteristic. Further, since theinitial alignment is improved, when the pre-tilts are given to theliquid crystal molecules by irradiation of the uniform ultraviolet raysin a state where the AC electric field of the rectangular wave isapplied to the liquid crystal cell as described above, it is possible toreduce the time for giving the pre-tilts to the liquid crystalmolecules. Furthermore, reduction in alignment errors is expected, andit is thus possible to improve a yield rate, and to reduce themanufacturing cost of the liquid crystal display apparatus. In addition,since the light transmission is improved, it is possible to achieve lowpower consumption of a backlight and to improve TFT reliability.

The color filter layer may be formed on the first substrate 20.Specifically, as described above, the TFT layer 30 is formed on thefirst substrate 20, and then, the color filter layer 23 instead of theplanarizing layer 22 is formed on the TFT layer 30 on the basis of anexisting method. In this way, it is possible to obtain a color filter onarray (COA) structure. Further, the connection hole 35 may be formed onthe color filter layer 23 above one source/drain electrode 34, and then,the transparent conductive material layer 24 for providing the firstelectrode 140 may be formed on the color filter layer 23 that includesthe connection hole 35 (see FIG. 42B).

EXAMPLE 2

Example 2 is a modification of Example 1. FIGS. 4A and 4B and FIGS. 5Aand 5B are plan views schematically illustrating a part of a firstelectrode corresponding to one pixel that forms a liquid crystal displayapparatus according to Example 2. Here, FIGS. 4A and 4B and FIGS. 5A and5B are plan views schematically illustrating an enlarged part of thefirst electrode surrounded by a circular region in the schematic planview of the first electrode in FIG. 2. In the liquid crystal displayapparatus according to Example 2, a protrusion 151 that extends in adirection toward the periphery of the pixel 10 is provided in a junction144B′ of two convex portions 144B. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, theprotrusion 151 may be surrounded by a plurality of segments (twosegments in the shown example). Further, the protrusion 151 may besurrounded by a single curve, as shown in FIG. 5A, or may be surroundedby a plurality of curves (two curves in the shown example), as shown inFIG. 5B. Alternatively, the protrusion 151 may be surrounded by acombination of a segment and a curve. In the example shown in FIG. 4A,the tip of the protrusion 151 is not joined to the junction of twoadjacent convex portions in the direction toward the periphery of thepixel. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 4B, the tip ofthe protrusion 151 is in contact with the junction of two adjacentconvex portions in the direction toward the periphery of the pixel.

With such a configuration, in a similar way, the part of the convexportion that extends in parallel with the X axis or the part of theconvex portion that extends in parallel with the Y axis does not exist,or if any, the length is very short. Further, since the protrusion 151is provided on the part of the V-shaped bottom of the convex portion, itis possible to obtain a desired alignment state of the liquid crystalmolecules disposed in the vicinity of the inner part of the V-shapedbottom of the convex portion, compared with a case where the protrusion151 is not provided in the inner part of the V-shaped bottom of theconvex portion.

EXAMPLE 3

Example 3 is another modification of Example 1. In Example 1, the convexportion 144A is joined to the X axis or the Y axis, and the planar shapeof the convex portion 144A is the “V” shape. On the other hand, inExample 3, the convex portion 144C is not joined to the X axis or the Yaxis. Specifically, FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically illustrating afirst electrode corresponding to one pixel that forms a liquid crystaldisplay apparatus according to Example 3. As shown in FIG. 6, eachconvex portion 144C₁₁ that extends from the X axis or the vicinitythereof and occupies the first quadrant is not joined to each convexportion 144C₄₁ that extends from the X axis or the vicinity thereof andoccupies the fourth quadrant, each convex portion 144C₁₂ that extendsfrom the Y axis or the vicinity thereof and occupies the first quadrantis not joined to each convex portion 144C₂₂ that extends from the Y axisor the vicinity thereof and occupies the second quadrant, each convexportion 144C₂₁ that extends from the X axis or the vicinity thereof andoccupies the second quadrant is not joined to each convex portion 144C₃₁that extends from the X axis or the vicinity thereof and occupies thethird quadrant, and each convex portion 144C₃₂ that extends from the Yaxis or the vicinity thereof and occupies the third quadrant is notjoined to each convex portion 144C₄₂ that extends from the Y axis or thevicinity thereof and occupies the fourth quadrant.

The respective convex portions 144C are not joined to each other, butmay be in a contact state. Here, the “join” means a state where therespective convex portions intersect with each other over a certainlength, and the “contact” means a state where the respective convexportions intersect with each other over a very short length (forexample, at a point).

With such a configuration, in a similar way, the part of the convexportion that extends in parallel with the X axis or the part of theconvex portion that extends in parallel with the Y axis does not exist,or if any, the length is very short. Accordingly, it is possible toobtain the same effect as in the description of Example 1.

EXAMPLE 4

Example 4 is a modification of Examples 1 to 3. FIG. 7 is a plan viewschematically illustrating a first electrode corresponding to one pixelthat forms a liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 4. Asshown in FIG. 7, the width of the convex portion 144D is decreasedtoward the periphery of the pixel 10. Specifically, the width of theconvex portion 144D is the largest on the X axis, the Y axis and in thevicinity thereof, and is decreased toward the periphery of the pixel 10(more specifically, is linearly decreased).

However, in manufacturing the liquid crystal display apparatus, apre-tilt is given to liquid crystal molecules in a state where a voltageis applied to electrodes. Here, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a liquidcrystal molecule A disposed at a tip edge part a of the convex portionor the vicinity thereof (for ease of description, referred to as a “tipregion”) is inclined in the axial direction (director) of the convexportion 144D. Further, when a thickness-directional region that includesthe liquid crystal molecule A is considered in the liquid crystal layer,the movement of the liquid crystal molecule A is transmitted to theentire liquid crystal molecules of one pixel except for an edge part ofthe convex portion affected by a local electric field due to thestructure (for ease of description, referred to as “liquid crystalmolecules A′”), and the director of the liquid crystal molecules A′ isinclined in the axial direction of the convex portion. Here, as shown inFIG. 8B, in a case where the convex portion is not tapered, comparedwith Example 4 in which the convex portion 144D is tapered as shown inFIG. 8A, the movement of the liquid crystal molecule A is hardlytransmitted to the liquid crystal molecules A′, or a slightly long timeis taken for the movement of the liquid crystal molecule A to betransmitted to the liquid crystal molecules A′. Accordingly, in theexample shown in FIG. 8B, a slightly long time is necessary for givingthe pre-tilt to the liquid crystal molecules, compared with Example 4.

If the voltage is applied to the electrode when the image is displayedin the liquid crystal display apparatus, in the entire liquid crystallayer, the liquid crystal molecules are changed so that the director isin parallel with the first substrate and the second substrate. In FIGS.8A and 8B, the direction of an electric field at a side edge of theconvex portion is indicated by a white arrow. Here, when athickness-directional columnar region is considered in the liquidcrystal layer that includes liquid crystal molecules B disposed at theside edge “b” of the convex portion or the vicinity thereof (for ease ofdescription, referred to as a “side edge region”), the liquid crystalmolecules arranged in the columnar region in the thickness direction arerotated. That is, the direction of the director of the liquid crystalmolecules B disposed in the side edge region and the direction of thedirector of the liquid crystal molecules (for ease of description,referred to as “liquid crystal molecules B′”) arranged in the thicknessdirection in the columnar region that includes the liquid crystalmolecules B have different states. An angle formed by the director ofthe liquid crystal molecules B and the director of the liquid crystalmolecules B′ is represented as β. Here, as shown in FIG. 8B, in a casewhere the convex portion is not tapered, since the rotation angle rangeof the liquid crystal molecules is wide (that is, since the angle β islarge), the ratio of the liquid crystal molecules having retardation inthe direction of 45 degrees with respect to the X axis direction or theY axis direction is small. Thus, slight non-uniformity is caused in thelight transmittance in the convex portion. On the other hand, in Example4 in which the convex portion 144D is tapered, since the rotation anglerange of the liquid crystal molecules is small (that is, since the angleβ is small), the ratio of the liquid crystal molecules havingretardation in the direction of 45 degrees with respect to the X axisdirection or the Y axis direction is large. Thus, it is possible toachieve high uniformity of the light transmittance in the convexportions 144D.

EXAMPLE 5

Example 5 is a modification according to Examples 1 to 4, which relatesto a liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 1-A of thepresent disclosure, and relates to a liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 9A to 9C, FIGS. 10A to 10C, FIGS. 11A to 11C and FIGS. 12A to 12Care plan views schematically illustrating a first electrode and the likecorresponding to one pixel that forms a liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Example 5. As shown in the figures, a slit portion 152 inaddition to the concave and convex portions 141 is formed in the firstelectrode 140. A transparent conductive material layer that forms thefirst electrode 140 is not formed in the slit portion 152. FIG. 13A is aschematic sectional view taken along arrow XIIIA-XIIIA in FIG. 9C, FIG.13B is a schematic sectional view taken along arrow XIIIB-XIIIB in FIG.10C, FIG. 13C is a schematic sectional view taken along arrowXIIIC-XIIIC in FIG. 11C, and FIG. 13D is a schematic sectional viewtaken along arrow XIIID-XIIID in FIG. 12C.

In Example 5, the slit portion 152 is formed in a convex portion region144E′. Here, as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, the slit portions 152 areprovided in a region that includes a central region (central part) 152Aof the pixel 10. Here, FIG. 9A is diagram schematically illustrating anarrangement state of the convex portions 144E, the convex portion region144E′, the concave portions 145 and the central region 152A, FIG. 9B isa diagram schematically illustrating an arrangement state of the slitportions 152 provided in the first electrode 140, and FIG. 9C is adiagram illustrating an overlapped state of the concave and convexportions 141 and the slit portions 152. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS.10A, 10B and 10C, in each quadrant, the slit portion 152 is formed inone convex portion region 144E′ (specifically, on one convex portion144) that extends toward the central region (central part) of the pixel10. Here, FIG. 10A is a diagram schematically illustrating anarrangement state of the convex portions 144E, the convex portion region144E′, and the concave portions 145, FIG. 10B is a diagram schematicallyillustrating an arrangement state of the slit portion 152 provided inthe first electrode 140, and FIG. 10C is a diagram illustrating anoverlapped state of the concave and convex portions 141 and the slitportion 152. Alternatively, as shown FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C, in eachquadrant, the slit portion 152 is formed in a convex portion region144E′ that extends toward a central region (central portion) 152A of thepixel 10. Here, FIG. 11A is a diagram schematically illustrating anarrangement state of the convex portions 144E, the convex portion region144E′, the concave portions 145 and the central region 152A, FIG. 11B isa diagram schematically illustrating an arrangement state of the slitportion 152 provided in the first electrode 140, and FIG. 11C is adiagram illustrating an overlapped state of the concave and convexportions 141 and the slit portion 152. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS.12A, 12B and 12C, the slit portion 152 is formed in a convex portionregion 144E′ that is provided in a region that is narrowed by the convexportions that extend toward a central region (central portion) 152A ofthe pixel 10 and the Y axis. Here, FIG. 12A is a diagram schematicallyillustrating an arrangement state of the convex portions 144E, theconvex portion region 144E′, the concave portions 145 and the centralregion 152A, FIG. 12B is a diagram schematically illustrating anarrangement state of the slit portion 152 provided in the firstelectrode 140, and FIG. 12C is a diagram illustrating an overlappedstate of the concave and convex portions 141 and the slit portion 152.Here, in FIGS. 9A and 9C, FIGS. 10A and 10C, FIGS. 11A and 11C and FIGS.12A and 12C, the concave portions 145 are given hatched lines thatextend in the longitudinal direction. Further, in FIGS. 9B and 9C, FIGS.10B and 10C, FIGS. 11B and 11C, FIGS. 12B and 12C, and FIGS. 24, theslit portions 152 and 252 are given hatched lines that extend in thetransverse direction. The slit portion is not provided in a regionindicated by reference numeral 152′, but a transparent conductivematerial layer that forms the first electrode 140 is formed therein. Theplanarizing layer 22 is exposed in the slit portion 152.

Further, FIG. 14A is a diagram schematically illustrating an arrangementstate of a convex portion, a concave portion, a slit portion and thelike in another modification example of a pixel that forms the liquidcrystal display apparatus according to Example 5, and FIG. 14B is aschematic sectional view of the first electrode and the like taken alongarrow XIVB-XIVB in FIG. 14A. As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the slitportion 152 that extends in parallel with the convex portion 144E may beformed at the top of the convex portion 144E. Further, FIG. 15A is adiagram schematically illustrating an arrangement state of a convexportion, a concave portion, a slit portion and the like in still anothermodification example of a pixel that forms the liquid crystal displayapparatus according to Example 5, and FIG. 15B is a schematic sectionalview of the first electrode and the like taken along arrow XVB-XVB inFIG. 15A. As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the slit portion 152 thatextends in parallel with the concave portion 145 may be formed at thebottom part of the concave portion 145. In FIGS. 14A and 15A, and inFIGS. 25 and 26 to be described later, the slit portions 152 and 252 areindicated by a thick solid line. For example, in the example shown inFIGS. 14A and 14B, the width of the convex portion is 7.0 μm, the widthof the concave portion is 3.0 μm, and the width of the slit portion is3.0 μm. Further, in the example shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the width ofthe convex portion is 3.0 μm, the width of the concave portion is 7.0μm, and the width of the slit portion is 3.0 μm. Here, the slit portion152 is formed so that a convex portion 144E is not separated from theother convex portions 144E due to the slit portion 152, or so that aconcave portion 145 is not separated from the other concave portions 145due to the slit portion 152, that is, so that all the concave and convexportions are electrically connected to each other. In the examples shownin FIGS. 14A and 15A, the slit portion 152 is not provided in the convexportion or the concave portion on the X axis and the Y axis. That is, inthe convex portion or the concave portion on the X axis and the Y axis,a notch is provided in the slit portion 152. Here, a configuration inwhich the slit portion is not provided in the convex portion or theconcave portion in the periphery of the pixel 10 may be used.

As described above, in Example 5, since the slit portions 152 inaddition to the concave and convex portions 141 are formed in the firstelectrode 140, an electric field generated by the first electrode 140 isdistorted in the vicinity of the slit portions 152, and thus, adirection where the liquid crystal molecules fall down is stronglyregulated. That is, it is possible to strengthen an alignment regulationforce with respect to the liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity ofthe slit portions 152, and to reliably regulate the tilt state of theliquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the slit portions 152. Thus,when the liquid crystal display apparatus is manufactured, although theliquid crystal layer is exposed in a desired electric field for apredetermined time in order to give pre-tilts to the liquid crystalmolecules, it is possible to reduce the time necessary until alignmentof the liquid crystal molecules exposed in the desired electric field isstabilized. That is, it is possible to give the pre-tilts to the liquidcrystal molecules in a short time, and to reduce the manufacturing timeof the liquid crystal display apparatus. Since the concave and convexportions in addition to the slit portions are provided, the problems inthe fine slit structure of the related art do not occur.

When the widths of the convex portion 144E and the concave portion 145are respectively 2.5 μm and the width of the slit portion 152 is 2.5 μm,in a liquid crystal display apparatus having a configuration of the slitportion 152 shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, and FIG. 12C, or in a liquidcrystal display apparatus having a configuration of the slit portion 152shown in FIGS. 14A and 15A, the time from the application of voltageduring the pre-tilt process to the completion of alignment of the liquidcrystal molecules was within 10 seconds. On the other hand, in theliquid crystal display apparatus shown in FIG. 48, the necessary timefrom the application of voltage during the pre-tilt process to thecompletion of alignment of the liquid crystal molecules was about 5minutes to about 10 minutes.

EXAMPLE 6

Example 6 is a modification according to Examples 1 to 5, which relatesto a liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of thepresent disclosure, a liquid crystal display apparatus according toEmbodiment 1-B of the present disclosure, and a liquid crystal displayapparatus according to Embodiment 3-B of the present disclosure. FIG. 16is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms a liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Example 6, and FIGS. 17A, 18A and 18B are plan viewsschematically illustrating a part of the first electrode in a centralregion of one pixel that forms the liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Example 6. FIG. 17B is a local sectional view thereof. Asshown in the figures, a recess 153 is provided in the first electrode140 in a central region of the pixel 10.

Here, as shown in FIG. 17B, the recess 153 is narrowed toward the firstsubstrate. That is, the recess 153 has a so-called forward taperedslope. An inclination angle of the recess 153 is 5 degrees to 60degrees, and preferably 20 degrees to 30 degrees. Such an inclinationangle may be obtained by giving a slope to the planarizing layer 22, forexample, by etching the planarizing layer 22 on the basis of an etchingmethod. Further, the shape of an outer edge 153A of the recess 153 maybe a circle (for example, its diameter is 15 μm or 7 μm) as shown inFIG. 17A, or may be a rectangle (for example, a square of which thelength of a side is 12 μm) as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B. An angleformed by the outer edge 153A of the rectangular recess 153 and theextension direction of the convex portion 144F (angle formed by theouter edge 153A of the rectangular recess 153 and the extensiondirection of the convex portion 144F where the outer edge 153A and anextension portion of the convex portion 144F intersect with each other)may be 90 degrees (see FIG. 18A), or may be an acute angle, for example,60 degrees (see FIG. 18B).

As described above, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according toExample 6, since the recess 153 is provided in the first electrode 140in the central region of the pixel, the liquid crystal molecules thatare in contact with the recess 153 or the liquid crystal moleculesdisposed in the vicinity of the recess 153 are in a state of fallingdown toward the center of the pixel. Thus, when the liquid crystaldisplay apparatus is manufactured, although the liquid crystal layer isexposed in a desired electric field for a predetermined time in order togive pre-tilts to the liquid crystal molecules, it is possible to reducethe time necessary until alignment of the liquid crystal moleculesexposed in the desired electric field is stabilized. That is, it ispossible to give the pre-tilts to the liquid crystal molecules in ashort time, and to reduce the manufacturing time of the liquid crystaldisplay apparatus.

In a liquid crystal display apparatus in which the widths of the convexportion 144F and the concave portion 145 are respectively 2.5 μm, theinclination angle of the recess 153 is 30 degrees, and the shape of theouter edge 153A of the recess 153 is the circle as shown in FIG. 17A,the time from the application of voltage during the pre-tilt process tothe completion of alignment of the liquid crystal molecules was within10 seconds.

Here, as shown in FIG. 17C, a configuration in which the central part ofthe recess 153 forms a part of a contact hole (connection hole 35) maybe used.

EXAMPLE 7

Example 7 is a modification according to Examples 1 to 6, which relatesto a liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of thepresent disclosure, a liqid crystal display apparatus according toEmbodiment 1-C of the present disclosure, a liquid crystal displayapparatus according to Embodiment 3-C of the present disclosure, and aliquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 4-C of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 19 is a plan view schematically illustrating afirst electrode corresponding to one pixel that forms a liquid crystaldisplay apparatus according to Example 7.

That is, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 7,when the formation pitch of convex portions 144G along the X axis isP_(x) and the formation pitch of the convex portions 144G along the Yaxis is P_(y) (=P_(x)), the width of the convex portion 144G is(P_(y)/2=P_(x)/2), and the width of the concave portion 145 is(P_(y)/2=P_(x)/2).

Further, in Example 7, convex portions 144G₁₁ that extend from the Xaxis or the vicinity thereof and occupy the first quadrant, convexportions 144G₄₁ that extend from the X axis or the vicinity thereof andoccupy the fourth quadrant are formed in a state of deviating from eachother (preferably, formed in a state of deviating from each other by(P_(x)/2)); convex portions 144G₁₂ that extend from the Y axis or thevicinity thereof and occupy the first quadrant and convex portions144G₂₂ that extend from the Y axis or the vicinity thereof and occupythe second quadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other(preferably, formed in a state of deviating from each other by(P_(y)/2)); convex portions 144G₂₁ that extend from the X axis or thevicinity thereof and occupy the second quadrant and convex portions144G₃₂ that extend from the X axis or the vicinity thereof and occupythe third quadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other(preferably, formed in a state of deviating from each other by(P_(x)/2)); and convex portions 144G₃₁ that extend from the Y axis orthe vicinity thereof and occupy the third quadrant and convex portions144G₄₁ that extend from the Y axis or the vicinity thereof and occupythe fourth quadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other(preferably, formed in a state of deviating from each other by(P_(y)/2)). The convex portions 144G are not linearly symmetric withrespect to the X axis and the Y axis, but are rotationally symmetric(point symmetric) with respect to the center of the pixel at 180degrees.

As described above, as the convex portion 144G and the convex portion144G are formed in the state of deviating from each other by the halfpitch, an electric field generated by the first electrode 140 at thecenter of the pixel is distorted in the vicinity of the center of thepixel, and thus, a direction where the liquid crystal molecules falldown is strongly regulated. As a result, it is possible to strengthen analignment regulation force with respect to the liquid crystal moleculesin the vicinity of the center of the pixel, and to reliably regulate thetilt state of the liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the centerof the pixel. Thus, when the liquid crystal display apparatus ismanufactured, although the liquid crystal layer is exposed in a desiredelectric field for a predetermined time in order to give pre-tilts tothe liquid crystal molecules, it is possible to reduce the timenecessary until alignment of the liquid crystal molecules exposed in thedesired electric field is stabilized. That is, it is possible to givethe pre-tilts to the liquid crystal molecules in a short time, and toreduce the manufacturing time of the liquid crystal display apparatus.

In a liquid crystal display apparatus in which the widths of the convexportion 144G and the concave portion 145 are respectively 2.5 μm and theconvex portion 144G and the convex portion 144G deviate from each otherby the half pitch, the time from the application of voltage during thepre-tilt process to the completion of alignment of the liquid crystalmolecules was within 10 seconds.

EXAMPLE 8

Example 8 relates to a liquid crystal display apparatus according toEmbodiment 2 of the present disclosure. FIG. 20 is a plan viewschematically illustrating a first electrode corresponding to one pixelthat forms a liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 8,and FIGS. 21A, 21B and 22 are schematic plan views illustrating anenlarged part of the first electrode surrounded by a circular region inthe schematic plan view of the first electrode in FIG. 20.

In the liquid crystal display apparatus of Example 8, assuming that theX axis and the Y axis pass through the center of the pixel 10, andspecifically, assuming that an (X, Y) coordinate system is formed by theX axis and the Y axis that are straight lines that pass through thecenter of the pixel 10 and are parallel to edge portions of the pixel, aplurality of concave and convex portions 241 includes a stem convexportion 243 that extends on the X axis and the Y axis, and a pluralityof branch convex portions 244A that extends from a side edge of the stemconvex portion 243 toward the periphery of the pixel 10, and anextension direction of a side edge part 243′ of the stem convex portion243 that is not joined to the branch convex portions 244A is notparallel to the X axis and the Y axis. That is, the extension directionof the side edge part 243′ of the stem convex portion 243 that is notjoined to the branch convex portions 244A is a direction that isdifferent from the X axis and the Y axis. Here, the stem convex portion243 and the branch convex portions 244A are linearly symmetric withrespect to the X axis, and are also linearly symmetric with respect tothe Y axis. Further, the stem convex portion 243 and the branch convexportions 244A are rotationally symmetric (point symmetric) with respectto the center of the pixel at 180 degrees.

Specifically, the side edge part 243′ of the stem convex portion 243that is not joined to the branch convex portions 244A has a straightline shape as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21A, or has a curved line shape asshown in FIGS. 21B and 22. Further, as shown in FIGS. 20, 21A, 21B and22, the width of a part 243A of the stem convex portion 243 that is notjoined to the branch convex portion 244A is narrowed toward the tip partof the stem convex portion 243.

Here, in the liquid crystal display apparatus of Example 8, a pluralityof branch convex portion 244A₁ that occupies a first quadrant extends inparallel in a direction where a value of on the Y coordinate increaseswhen a value on the X coordinate increases, a plurality of branch convexportions 244A₂ that occupies a second quadrant extends in parallel in adirection where a value on the Y coordinate increases when a value onthe X coordinate decreases, a plurality of branch convex portions 244A₃that occupies a third quadrant extends in parallel in a direction wherea value on the Y coordinate decreases when a value on the X coordinatedecreases, and a plurality of branch convex portions 244A₄ that occupiesa fourth quadrant extends in parallel in a direction where a value onthe Y coordinate decreases when a value on the X coordinate increases.

That is, the stem convex portion 243 and the branch convex portions 244Aare linearly symmetric with respect to the X axis, are also linearlysymmetric with respect to the Y axis, and are rotationally symmetric(point symmetric) with respect to the center of the pixel at 180degrees.

Except for the above description, since the liquid crystal displayapparatus of Example 8 has the same configuration or structure as in theliquid crystal display apparatus described in Example 1, detaileddescription thereof is not shown.

As described above, in the liquid crystal display apparatus of Example8, a part of the stem convex portion that extends in parallel with the Xaxis or a part of the stem convex portion that extends in parallel withthe Y axis does not exist. According, it is possible to provide a liquidcrystal display apparatus capable of realizing more uniform and highlight transmittance, and to provide a liquid crystal display apparatushaving a configuration or structure capable of giving pre-tilts toliquid crystal molecules in a short time.

Specifications of the step convex portion 243, the branch convexportions 244A, and the concave portions 245 are as shown in Table 2.

Table 2

Average height of stem convex portion: 0.2 μm

Width of stem convex portion:

-   -   minimum 1.0 μm, maximum 2.0 μm (Example 8-1)    -   minimum 1.0 μm, maximum 3.5 μm (Example 8-2)

Average height of branch convex portions: 0.2 μm

Formation pitch of branch convex portions: 5.0 μm

Width of branch convex portion: 2.5 μm

Width of concave portion: 2.5 μm

Characteristic evaluation was performed in the liquid crystal displayapparatus (see FIG. 20) of Example 8 that is obtained in this way and aliquid crystal display apparatus of Comparative Example 8. InComparative Example 8, the width of the stem convex portion wasuniformly 8.0 μm. The light transmittance in the liquid crystal displayapparatus was evaluated on the basis of simulation using 3-dimensionalliquid crystal director, electric field and optical calculation software(LCD Master 3D FEM Version 7.31 made by SHINTECH CO., LTD.). In thesimulation, in the liquid crystal display apparatus of Example 8, onlyparameters related to a design part in which the light transmittance wasimproved were changed for inspection, with reference to a simulationresult of the liquid crystal display apparatus of Comparative Example 8.Here, the electric potential difference between the first electrode andthe second electrode was considered as 7.5 V. A result of a lighttransmittance improvement rate around the stem convex portion at thistime is shown in Table 3. Further, images that indicate the simulationresults of the light transmittances in Example 8-1, Example 8-2 andComparative Example 8 are shown in FIGS. 45A, 45B and 45C. In FIGS. 45A,45B and 45C, a third quadrant and a fourth quadrant of one pixel areshown, in which the X axis is located at a place where the value on theY axis is 86 μm and the Y axis is located at a place where the value onthe X axis is 52 μm. Compared with a region of dark lines (portionswhere the light transmittance is locally small) in the liquid crystaldisplay apparatus of Comparative Example 8 shown in FIG. 45C, a regionof dark lines in the liquid crystal display apparatus of Example 8 issmall.

Table 3

-   -   Light transmittance improvement rate

Example 8-1 5.35%

Example 8-2 4.56%

With respect to the liquid crystal display apparatus of Example 8, in asimilar way to Example 4, the width of a branch convex portion 244D maybe narrowed toward the periphery of the pixel 10 (see FIG. 23). Further,in a similar way to Example 5, a slit portion 252 may be formed in thefirst electrode (a liquid crystal display apparatus according toEmbodiment 2-A of the present disclosure or a liquid crystal displayapparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure) (seeFIGS. 24, 25 and 26). FIG. 24 is a plan view schematically illustratinga first electrode corresponding to one pixel that forms a modificationexample of the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 8,in which the slit portion 252 having the same configuration or structureas in FIG. 10B and 10C is provided. Further, FIGS. 25 and 26 are planviews schematically illustrating a first electrode corresponding to onepixel that forms a modification example of the liquid crystal displayapparatus according to Example 8, in which the slit portion 252 havingthe same configuration or structure as in FIGS. 14A and 15A is provided.Here, the slit portion 252 is formed so that a branch convex portion244D is not separated from the other branch convex portions 244D due tothe slit portion 252, or so that a concave portion 245 is not separatedfrom the other concave portions 245 due to the slit portion 252, thatis, so that all concave and convex portions are electrically connectedto each other. In the example shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the slit portion252 is not provided in the stem convex portion 243. That is, in the stemconvex portion, a notch is provided in the slit portion 252. Further,the slit portion may not be provided in the branch convex portions orthe concave portions at the periphery of the pixel 10. Further, in asimilar way to Example 6, a recess 253 may be provided in the firstelectrode in the central region of the pixel 10 (a liquid crystaldisplay apparatus according to Embodiment 2-B of the present disclosure,a liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 3-B of thepresent disclosure or a liquid crystal display apparatus according toEmbodiment 4 of the present disclosure) (see FIG. 27).

Further, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 8,as shown in FIG. 28 that is a plan view schematically illustrating afirst electrode corresponding to one pixel, a configuration (a liquidcrystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 2-C of the presentdisclosure, a liquid crystal display apparatus according to Embodiment3-C of the present disclosure, a liquid crystal display apparatusaccording to Embodiment 4-C of the present disclosure or a liquidcrystal display apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the presentdisclosure) may be used when a formation pitch of the branch convexportions along the X axis is P_(x) and a formation pitch of the branchconvex portions along the Y axis is P_(y), the branch convex portionsthat extend from the stem convex portion on the X axis and occupy thefirst quadrant and the branch convex portions that extend from the stemconvex portion on the X axis and occupy the fourth quadrant are formedin a state of deviating from each other (preferably, formed in a stateof being deviated by (P_(x)/2)); the branch convex portions that extendfrom the stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the first quadrantand the branch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portionon the Y axis and occupy the second quadrant are formed in a state ofdeviating from each other (preferably, formed in a state of beingdeviated by (P_(y)/2)); the branch convex portions that extend from thestem convex portion on the X axis and occupy the second quadrant and thebranch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Xaxis and occupy the third quadrant are formed in a state of deviatingfrom each other (preferably, formed in a state of being deviated by(P_(x)/2)); and the branch convex portions that extend from the stemconvex portion on the Y axis and occupy the third quadrant and thebranch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Yaxis and occupy the fourth quadrant are formed in a state of deviatingfrom each other (preferably, formed in a state of being deviated by(P_(y)/2)). That is, the stem convex portion and the branch convexportion are not linearly symmetric with respect to the X axis and the Yaxis, but are rotationally symmetric (point symmetric) with respect tothe center of the pixel at 180 degrees.

EXAMPLE 9

Example 9 is a modification of Example 8. FIGS. 29 and 30 are localsectional views schematically illustrating a liquid crystal displayapparatus according to Example 9. Further, FIGS. 40B and 40C areconceptual diagrams illustrating an operation of liquid crystalmolecules in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example9. Here, in the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 9,an alignment regulating portion 261 is formed in a part of the secondelectrode 260 corresponding to the stem convex portion 243.

Here, the alignment regulating portion 261 is formed as a secondelectrode slit portion 262 of 4.0 μm provided in the second electrode260 (see FIGS. 29 and 40B), or a second electrode protrusion (rib) 263provided in the second electrode 260 (see FIGS. 30 and 40C). Morespecifically, the second electrode protrusion 263 is formed of anegative photoresist material, and has a width of 1.4 μm and a height of1.2 μm. The planar shape of the second electrode slit portion 262 or thesecond electrode protrusion (rib) 263 is a cross shape, and thesectional shape of the second electrode protrusion 263 is an isoscelestriangle. The second electrode 260 is not formed on the second electrodeslit portion 262 or the second electrode protrusion (rib) 263.

In the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 9, sincethe alignment regulating portion 261 that includes the second electrodeslit portion 262 is formed in the part of the second electrode 260corresponding to the stem convex portion 243, an electric fieldgenerated by the second electrode 260 is distorted in the vicinity ofthe alignment regulating portion 261. Further, since the alignmentregulating portion 261 that includes the second electrode protrusion(rib) 263 is formed, the direction where the liquid crystal moleculesdisposed in the vicinity of the second electrode protrusion 263 falldown is regulated. Consequently, it is possible to increase thealignment regulation force with respect to the liquid crystal moleculesin the vicinity of the alignment regulating portion 261, and to reliablyregulate the tilt state of the liquid crystal molecules in the vicinityof the alignment regulating portion 261. Thus, when an image isdisplayed, it is possible to reliably suppress the problem that darklines are generated in a part of the image corresponding to the stemconvex portion. That is, it is possible to provide a liquid crystaldisplay apparatus capable of realizing uniform and high lighttransmittance while maintaining an excellent voltage responsecharacteristic, to achieve reduction in cost of a light source thatforms a backlight and low power consumption, and to achieve improvementin reliability of the TFT. Here, the alignment regulating portion 261may be formed as a protrusion-shaped part of the second electrode 260.

The configuration or structure of the second electrode in Example 9 maybe similarly applied to the liquid crystal display apparatus describedin Example 1 to Example 7.

EXAMPLE 10

Example 10 is another modification of Example 8. FIG. 31 is a plan viewschematically illustrating a first electrode corresponding to one pixelthat forms a liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 10,FIGS. 32A to 32C are local sectional views schematically illustratingthe first electrode and the like taken along arrows XXXIA-XXXIA,XXXIB-XXXIB and XXXIC-XXXIC in FIG. 31, and FIG. 32D is a localsectional view schematically illustrating an enlarged part of the firstelectrode in FIG. 32C. The local sectional views schematicallyillustrating the liquid crystal display apparatus of Example 10 aresubstantially the same as FIG. 1.

In FIGS. 31, 34, 35, 37 and 38, the width of the branch convex portionis uniformly shown, but the branch convex portion may be tapered in asimilar way to the description of Example 4. That is, the width of thebranch convex portions may be widest at a part of the branch convexportion that is joined to the stem convex portion and may be narrowedtoward a tip part thereof from the part joined to the stem convexportion.

In the liquid crystal display apparatus of Example 10, a plurality ofconcave and convex portions 341 (a stem convex portion 343, branchconvex portions 344 and concave portions 345) is formed in a firstelectrode 340, and a plurality of step portions is formed in the stemconvex portion 343 provided in the first electrode 340. Further, theconcave and convex portions 341 include the stem convex portion (mainconvex portion) 343 that passes through the center of the pixel andextends in a cross shape, and the plurality of branch convex portions(sub convex portions) 344 that extends toward the periphery of the pixelfrom the stem convex portion 343.

Here, the cross-sectional shape of the stem convex portion 343 when thestem convex portion 343 is cut on a virtual vertical plane orthogonal tothe extension direction of the stem convex portion 343 is across-sectional shape that the step portions go down from the center ofthe cross-sectional shape of the stem convex portion 343 toward edges ofthe cross-sectional shape of the stem convex portion 343. Specifically,the top face of the stem convex portion 343 includes a top face 343Bdisposed at a central part of the stem convex portion 343 and top faces343A disposed on both sides of the top face 343B. Since two stepportions exist in the stem convex portion 343 in this way, the stepportions become high in the order of the top faces 343A and the top face343B with reference to the concave portion 345. The top face of thebranch convex portion 344 is represented as reference numeral 344A, inwhich the top face 343A of the stem convex portion 343 and the top face344A of the branch convex portion 344 are at the same level. In thefigures, hatched lines that extend in the transverse direction are givento the top face 343B of the stem convex portion 343, and hatched linesthat extend in the longitudinal direction are given to the concaveportion 345.

The step portions in the stem convex portion or the branch convexportions (to be described later) may be obtained, for example, by (a)forming a resist material layer on a planarizing layer (or a colorfilter layer) that is a base (the planarizing layer and the color filterlayer are generally referred to as a “planarizing layer or the like”),(b) forming concave and convex portions in the resist material layerthrough exposure and development, (c) forming concave and convexportions on the planarizing layer or the like through etching of theresist material layer, and the planarizing layer or the like, and (d)forming and patterning a transparent conductive material layer on theplanarizing layer or the like.

Further, the step portions in the stem convex portion or the branchconvex portions (to be described later) may be obtained, for example, by(a) forming a resist material layer on a base layer formed on aplanarizing layer or the like, (b) forming concave and convex portionsin the resist material layer through exposure and development, (c)forming concave and convex portions on the base layer through etching ofthe resist material layer, and the planarizing layer or the like, and(d) forming and patterning a transparent conductive material layer onthe base layer.

Further, the step portions in the stem convex portion or the branchconvex portions (to be described later) may be obtained, for example, by(a) forming an insulating material layer patterned on a planarizinglayer or the like that is a base, and (b) forming and patterning atransparent conductive material layer on the planarizing layer or thelike and the insulating material layer.

Further, the step portions in the stem convex portion or the branchconvex portions (to be described later) may be obtained, for example, by(a) forming a transparent conductive material layer on a planarizinglayer or the like that is a base, (b) forming a resist material layer onthe transparent conductive material layer, (c) forming concave andconvex portions in the resist material layer through exposure anddevelopment, and (d) etching the resist material layer, and thetransparent conductive material layer.

Further, the step portions in the stem convex portion or the branchconvex portions (to be described later) may be obtained, for example, by(a) forming and patterning a first transparent conductive material layer(see reference numeral 340A in FIGS. 32A and 32B) on a planarizing layeror the like that is a base, and (b) forming and patterning a secondtransparent conductive material layer (see reference numeral 340B inFIGS. 32A and 32B) having an etching selectivity ratio to the firsttransparent conductive material layer on the first transparentconductive material layer.

Further, the step portion in the stem convex portion or the branchconvex portions (to be described later) may be obtained, for example, byforming convex portions in a planarizing layer by the influence of thethicknesses of components (for example, various signal lines, anauxiliary capacitance electrode, a gate electrode, a source/drainelectrode, and various interconnections) of the liquid crystal displayapparatus formed on or above the first substrate by optimizing thethickness of the planarizing layer.

The above description relating to the stem convex portion or the branchconvex portions may be applied to Examples 8 and 9. Further, except forthe above description, the configuration or structure of the liquidcrystal display apparatus of Example 10 is the same as the configurationor structure of the liquid crystal display apparatus of Example 1.

In the related art liquid crystal display apparatus, a step portion isnot formed in the stem convex portion. As shown in a conceptual diagramof FIG. 33A illustrating an operation of the liquid crystal molecules,there is a case where the alignment regulation force with respect to theliquid crystal molecules at the central part of the stem convex portionis weak and the tilt state of the liquid crystal molecules at thecentral part of the stem convex portion is not determined. On the otherhand, in Example 10, since the plurality of step portions is formed inthe stem convex portion 343 as described above, that is, since theplurality of top faces 343A and 343B is formed in the stem convexportion 343, the electric field is highest at the central part of thestem convex portion 343, and is decreased toward the edges of the stemconvex portion 343. As shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 33Billustrating an operation of the liquid crystal molecules, it ispossible to strengthen the alignment regulation force with respect tothe liquid crystal molecules at the central part of the stem convexportion 343, and to reliably regulate the tilt state of the liquidcrystal molecules at the central part of the stem convex portion 343.Thus, when an image is displayed, it is possible to reliably suppressthe problem that dark lines are generated in a part of the imagecorresponding to the central part of the stem convex portion 343. Thatis, it is possible to provide a liquid crystal display apparatus capableof realizing uniform and high light transmittance while maintaining anexcellent voltage response characteristic, to achieve reduction in costof a light source that forms a backlight and low power consumption, andto achieve improvement in reliability of the TFT.

EXAMPLE 11

Example 11 is a modification of Example 10. FIG. 34 is a plan viewschematically illustrating a first electrode corresponding to one pixelthat forms a liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 11,and FIGS. 36A and 36B are local sectional views schematicallyillustrating the first electrode and the like taken along arrowsXXXVIA-XXXVIA and XXXVIB-XXXVIB in FIG. 34.

In Example 11, the top face of the stem convex portion 343 includes atop face 343C disposed at the central part of the stem convex portion343, top faces 343B disposed on both sides of the top face 343C, and topfaces 343A disposed outside the top face 343B. Since three step portionsexist in the stem convex portion 343 in this way, the step portionsbecome high in the order of the top faces 343A, the top faces 343B andthe top face 343C with reference to the concave portion 345. Further,the cross-sectional shape of the stem convex portion 343 when the stemconvex portion 343 is cut on a virtual vertical plane that is parallelto the extension direction of the stem convex portion 343 is across-sectional shape (top faces 343B and top faces 343A) that the stepportions go down from the central part (top face 343C) of thecross-sectional shape of the stem convex portion 343 toward end parts ofthe cross-sectional shape of the stem convex portion 343. In the figure,cross-hatched lines are given to the top face 343C.

Except for the above description, since the configuration or structureof the liquid crystal display apparatus of Example 11 is the same as theconfiguration or structure of the liquid crystal display apparatus ofExample 10, detailed description thereof is not shown.

EXAMPLE 12

Example 12 is another modification of Example 10. FIG. 35 is a plan viewschematically illustrating a first electrode corresponding to one pixelthat forms a liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 12,and FIG. 36C is a local sectional view schematically illustrating thefirst electrode and the like taken along arrows XXXVIC-XXXVIC in FIG.35, and FIG. 36D is a local sectional view schematically illustrating anenlarged part of the first electrode in FIG. 36C.

In Example 12, the cross-sectional shape of the branch convex portion344 when the branch convex portion 344 is cut on a virtual verticalplane orthogonal to the extension direction of the branch convex portion344 is a cross-sectional shape that the step portions go down from thecenter of the cross-sectional shape of the branch convex portion 344toward edges of the cross-sectional shape of the branch convex portion344. Specifically, the top face of branch convex portion 344 includes atop face 344B that extends from the stem convex portion 343 and topfaces 344A disposed on both sides of the top face 344B. Since two stepportions exist in the branch convex portion 344 in this way, the stepportions become high in the order of the top faces 344A and the top face344B with reference to the concave portion 345. In the figure, hatchedlines that extend in the transverse direction are given to the top face344B. Further, in FIGS. 35 and 37, boundaries of the stem convex portionand the branch convex portions are shown by solid lines. The heightdifference between the top face 344B and top faces 344A of the branchconvex portion 344 is 0.20 μm on average. The top face 343B of the stemconvex portion 343 and the top face 344B of the branch convex portion344 are at the same level.

Except for the above description, since the configuration or structureof the liquid crystal display apparatus of Example 12 is the same as theconfiguration or structure of the liquid crystal display apparatus ofExample 10, detailed description thereof is not shown.

Here, as shown in FIG. 37 that is a plan view schematically illustratinga first electrode corresponding to one pixel that forms a liquid crystaldisplay apparatus, the cross-sectional shape of the branch convexportion 344 when the branch convex portion 344 is cut on a virtualvertical plane that is parallel to the extension direction of the branchconvex portion 344 may be a cross-sectional shape that the step portionsgo down from the stem convex portion side of the cross-sectional shapeof the branch convex portion 344 toward an end part of thecross-sectional shape of the branch convex portion 344. Further, asshown in FIG. 38 that is a perspective view schematically illustrating afirst electrode corresponding to one pixel that forms a liquid crystaldisplay apparatus, the above configuration or structure of the branchconvex portion 344 may be combined with the stem convex portion 343described in Example 11. Further, the configuration or structure of thebranch convex portion may also be applied to the convex portion in theliquid crystal display apparatus described in Examples 1 to 7.

EXAMPLE 13

Example 13 relates to a liquid crystal display apparatus according toEmbodiment 5 of the present disclosure. FIG. 39 is a plan viewschematically illustrating a first electrode corresponding to one pixelthat forms the liquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 13.In the liquid crystal display apparatus of Example 13, assuming that theX axis and the Y axis pass through the center of a pixel, andspecifically, assuming that an (X, Y) coordinate system is formed by theX axis and the Y axis that are straight lines that pass through thecenter of the pixel 10 and are parallel to edge portions of the pixel, aplurality of concave and convex portions includes a stem convex portion443 that extends on the X axis and the Y axis, and a plurality of branchconvex portions 444G that extends from a side edge of the stem convexportion 443 toward the periphery of the pixel. Here, a plurality ofbranch convex portions 444G₁ that occupies a first quadrant extends inparallel in a direction where a value on the Y coordinate increases as avalue on the X coordinate increases, a plurality of branch convexportions 444G₂ that occupies a second quadrant extends in parallel in adirection where a value on the Y coordinate increases as a value on theX coordinate decreases, a plurality of branch convex portions 444G₃ thatoccupies a third quadrant extends in parallel in a direction where avalue on the Y coordinate decreases as a value on the X coordinatedecreases, and a plurality of branch convex portions 444G₄ that occupiesa fourth quadrant extends in parallel in a direction where a value onthe Y coordinate decreases as a value on the X coordinate increases.Further, branch convex portions 444G₁₁ that extend from the stem convexportion 443 on the X axis and occupy the first quadrant and branchconvex portions 444G₄₁ that extend from the stem convex portion 443 onthe X axis and occupy the fourth quadrant are formed in a state ofdeviating from each other (preferably, formed in a state of deviatingfrom each other by (P_(x)/2)); branch convex portions 444G₁₂ that extendfrom the stem convex portion 443 on the Y axis and occupy the firstquadrant and branch convex portions 444G₂₂ that extend from the stemconvex portion 443 on the Y axis and occupy the second quadrant areformed in a state of deviating from each other (preferably, formed in astate of deviating from each other by (P_(y)/2)); branch convex portions444G₂₁ that extend from the stem convex portion 443 on the X axis andoccupy the second quadrant and branch convex portions 444G₃₁ that extendfrom the stem convex portion 443 on the X axis and occupy the thirdquadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other (preferably,formed in a state of deviating from each other by (P_(x)/2)); and branchconvex portions 444G₃₂ that extend from the stem convex portion 443 onthe Y axis and occupy the third quadrant and branch convex portions444G₄₂ that extend from the stem convex portion 443 on the Y axis andoccupy the fourth quadrant are formed in a state of deviating from eachother (preferably, formed in a state of deviating from each other by(P_(y)/2)). Here, Px represents a formation pitch of the branch convexportions along the X axis, and P_(y) represents a formation pitch of thebranch convex portions along the Y axis. That is, the stem convexportion 443 and the branch convex portions 444G are not linearlysymmetric with respect to the X axis and the Y axis, but arerotationally symmetric (point symmetric) with respect to the center ofthe pixel at 180 degrees.

In the liquid crystal display apparatus of Example 13, when theformation pitch of the branch convex portions 444G along the X axis isP_(x) and the formation pitch of the branch convex portions 444G alongthe Y axis is P_(y) (=P_(x)), the width of the branch convex portion444G is (P_(y)/2=P_(x)/2), and the width of the concave portion 445 is(P_(y)/2=P_(x)/2).

Except for the above description, since the liquid crystal displayapparatus of Example 13 has the same configuration or structure as inthe liquid crystal display apparatus described in Example 1, detaileddescription thereof is not shown.

Hereinbefore, the present disclosure is described on the basis ofpreferable examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to theseexamples, and various modifications may be made. The planar shape of theconvex portions or the branch convex portions is not limited to the “V”shape in these examples, and various patterns such as a stripe or aladder-type, in which the convex portions or the branch convex portionsextend in a plurality of directions may be employed. When the convexportions or the branch convex portions are generally viewed, the planarshape of the end parts of the convex portions or the branch convexportions may be a linear shape or a stepwise shape. Further, the planarshape of the end part of each convex portion or each branch convexportion may be a straight line, a combination of segments, or a curvedline such as an arc.

The liquid crystal display apparatus (liquid crystal display device) ofthe VA mode is described in the examples, but the present disclosure isnot limited thereto, and may be applied to a different display mode suchas an ECB mode (positive liquid crystal mode in horizontal alignmentwithout twist), an in-plane switching (IPS) mode, a fringe fieldswitching (FFS) mode or an optically compensated bend (OCB) mode. Inthese cases, it is possible to achieve the same effects. Here, in thepresent disclosure, compared with a case where the pre-tilt process isnot performed, it is possible to achieve an improvement effect of aspecifically high response characteristic in the VA mode, compared withthe IPS mode or the FFS mode. Further, in the examples, an exclusivelytransmissive liquid crystal display apparatus (liquid crystal displaydevice) is described, but the present disclosure is not limited to thetransmissive type, and for example, a reflective type may be used. Inthe case of the reflective type, a pixel electrode is formed of anelectrode material having light reflectivity, such as aluminum or thelike.

The liquid crystal display apparatus described in Example 8 may bemodified, like a liquid crystal display apparatus shown in FIG. 46. FIG.46 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first electrodecorresponding to one pixel that forms a modification example of theliquid crystal display apparatus according to Example 8, FIGS. 47A and47B are local sectional views schematically illustrating the firstelectrode and the like taken along arrows XLVIIA-XLVIIA andXLVIIB-XLVIIB in FIG. 46, and FIG. 47C is a local sectional viewschematically illustrating an enlarged part of the first electrode inFIG. 47B.

Here, a concave and convex portion 541 includes a stem convex portion(main convex portion) 543 that is formed in a frame shape in theperiphery of a pixel, and a plurality of branch convex portions (subconvex portions) 544 that extends from the stem convex portion 543toward the inside of the pixel. Further, the plurality of branch convexportions 544 corresponds to a part of the convex portions provided inthe first electrode. Here, the width of the branch convex portion 544 islargest in a part 544 a of the branch convex portion that is joined tothe stem convex portion 543 and is narrowed from the part 544 a that isjoined to the stem convex portion 543 toward a tip part 544 b. Morespecifically, the width of the branch convex portion 544 is linearlynarrowed from the part 544 a that is joined to the stem convex portion543 toward the tip part 544 b. The width of the branch convex portion544 may be uniform. Reference numeral 545 represents concave portions.

Further, assuming that the X axis and the Y axis pass through the centerof the pixel, and assuming that the (X, Y) coordinate system is formedby the X axis and the Y axis that are straight lines parallel to edgeportions of the pixel, a plurality of branch convex portions 544 ₁ thatoccupies a first quadrant extends in parallel in a direction where avalue on the Y coordinate increases when a value on the X coordinateincreases, a plurality of branch convex portions 544 ₂ that occupies asecond quadrant extends in parallel in a direction where a value on theY coordinate increases when a value on the X coordinate decreases, aplurality of branch convex portions 544 ₃ that occupies a third quadrantextends in parallel in a direction where a value on the Y coordinatedecreases when a value on the X coordinate decreases, a plurality ofbranch convex portions 544 ₄ that occupies a fourth quadrant extends inparallel in a direction where a value on the Y coordinate decreases whena value on the X coordinate increases.

The plurality of branch convex portions 544 ₁ that occupies the firstquadrant has an axis line that extends at 45 degrees with respect to theX axis, the plurality of branch convex portions 544 ₂ that occupies thesecond quadrant has an axis line that extends at 135 degrees withrespect to the X axis, the plurality of branch convex portions 544 ₃that occupies the third quadrant has an axis line that extends at 225degrees with respect to the X axis, and the plurality of branch convexportions 544 ₄ that occupies the fourth quadrant has an axis line thatextends at 315 degrees with respect to the X axis.

The present disclosure may have the following configurations.

[1] Liquid crystal display apparatus: Embodiment 1

A liquid crystal display apparatus that includes arrangement of aplurality of pixels, each pixel including: a first substrate and asecond substrate; a first electrode formed on an opposed surface of thefirst substrate that faces the second substrate; a first alignment filmthat covers the first electrode and the opposed surface of the firstsubstrate; a second electrode formed on an opposed surface of the secondsubstrate that faces the first substrate; a second alignment film thatcovers the second electrode and the opposed surface of the secondsubstrate; and a liquid crystal layer that includes liquid crystalmolecules provided between the first alignment film and the secondalignment film, wherein a pre-tilt is given to the liquid crystalmolecules, wherein a plurality of concave and convex portions is formedin the first electrode, and wherein assuming that an X axis and a Y axispass through the center of the pixel, a plurality of convex portionsthat occupies a first quadrant extends in parallel in a direction wherea value on the Y coordinate increases when a value on the X coordinateincreases, a plurality of convex portions that occupies a secondquadrant extends in parallel in a direction where a value on the Ycoordinate increases when a value on the X coordinate decreases, aplurality of convex portions that occupies a third quadrant extends inparallel in a direction where a value on the Y coordinate decreases whena value on the X coordinate decreases, and a plurality of convexportions that occupies a fourth quadrant extends in parallel in adirection where a value on the Y coordinate decreases when a value onthe X coordinate increases.

[2] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [1], wherein eachconvex portion that extends from the X axis and occupies the firstquadrant is joined to each convex portion that extends from the X axisand occupies the fourth quadrant, wherein each convex portion thatextends from the Y axis and occupies the first quadrant is joined toeach convex portion that extends from the Y axis and occupies the secondquadrant, wherein each convex portion that extends from the X axis andoccupies the second quadrant is joined to each convex portion thatextends from the X axis and occupies the third quadrant, and whereineach convex portion that extends from the Y axis and occupies the thirdquadrant is joined to each convex portion that extends from the Y axisand occupies the fourth quadrant.

[3] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [2], wherein aprotrusion that extends in a direction toward the periphery of the pixelis provided at a junction of two convex portions.

[4] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [3], wherein theprotrusion is surrounded by a plurality of segments.

[5] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [3], wherein theprotrusion is surrounded by a single curve.

[6] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [3], wherein theprotrusion is surrounded by a plurality of curves.

[7] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [1], wherein eachconvex portion that extends from the X axis or the vicinity thereof andoccupies the first quadrant is not joined to each convex portion thatextends from the X axis or the vicinity thereof and occupies the fourthquadrant, each convex portion that extends from the Y axis or thevicinity thereof and occupies the first quadrant is not joined to eachconvex portion that extends from the Y axis or the vicinity thereof andoccupies the second quadrant, each convex portion that extends from theX axis or the vicinity thereof and occupies the second quadrant is notjoined to each convex portion that extends from the X axis or thevicinity thereof and occupies the third quadrant, and each convexportion that extends from the Y axis or the vicinity thereof andoccupies the third quadrant is not joined to each convex portion thatextends from the Y axis or the vicinity thereof and occupies the fourthquadrant.

[8] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [1] to[7], wherein the width of the convex portion is narrowed toward theperiphery of the pixel.

[9] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [1] to[8], wherein a slit portion is further formed in the first electrode.

[10] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [9], wherein theslit portion is formed in a convex portion region.

[11] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [10], wherein theslit portion is provided in the convex portion region that includes acentral part of the pixel.

[12] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [10], wherein theslit portion is formed in the convex portion region that extends towarda central region of the pixel.

[13] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [10], wherein theslit portion is formed in the convex portion region provided in a regionthat is narrowed by the convex portion that extends toward a centralregion of the pixel and the Y axis.

[14] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [9], wherein theslit portion that extends in parallel to the convex portion is formed ata top part of the convex portion.

[15] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [9], wherein theslit portion that extends in parallel to the concave portion is formedat a bottom part of the concave portion.

[16] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [1] to[13], wherein a recess is provided in the first electrode in a centralregion of the pixel.

[17] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [16], wherein therecess becomes narrow toward the first substrate.

[18] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [17], wherein aninclination angle of the recess is 5 degrees to 60 degrees.

[19] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [16]to [18], wherein the shape of an outer edge of the recess is a circle.

[20] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [16]to [18], wherein the shape of the outer edge of the recess is arectangle.

[21] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [20], wherein anangle formed by an outer edge of the rectangular recess and an extensiondirection of the convex portion is 90 degrees.

[22] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [20], wherein anangle formed by an outer edge of the rectangular recess and an extensiondirection of the convex portion is an acute angle.

[23] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [16]to [22], wherein a central part of the recess forms a part of a contacthole.

[24] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [1] to[23], wherein the convex portion that extends from the X axis or thevicinity thereof and occupies the first quadrant and the convex portionthat extends from the X axis or the vicinity thereof and occupies thefourth quadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other,wherein the convex portion that extends from the Y axis or the vicinitythereof and occupies the first quadrant and the convex portion thatextends from the Y axis or the vicinity thereof and occupies the secondquadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other, wherein theconvex portion that extends from the X axis or the vicinity thereof andoccupies the second quadrant and the convex portion that extends fromthe X axis or the vicinity thereof and occupies the third quadrant areformed in a state of deviating from each other, and wherein the convexportion that extends from the Y axis or the vicinity thereof andoccupies the third quadrant and the convex portion that extends from theY axis or the vicinity thereof and occupies the fourth quadrant areformed in a state of deviating from each other.

[25] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [24], whereinwhen a formation pitch of the convex portions along the X axis is P_(x)and a formation pitch of the convex portions along the Y axis is P_(y),the convex portions that extend from the X axis or the vicinity thereofand occupy the first quadrant and the convex portions that extend fromthe X axis or the vicinity thereof and occupy the fourth quadrant areformed in a state of deviating from each other by (P_(x)/2); the convexportions that extend from the Y axis or the vicinity thereof and occupythe first quadrant and the convex portions that extend from the Y axisor the vicinity thereof and occupy the second quadrant are formed in astate of deviating from each other (P_(y)/2); the convex portions thatextend from the X axis or the vicinity thereof and occupy the secondquadrant and the convex portions that extend from the X axis or thevicinity thereof and occupy the third quadrant are formed in a state ofdeviating from each other by (P_(x)/2); and the convex portions thatextend from the Y axis or the vicinity thereof and occupy the thirdquadrant and the convex portions that extend from the Y axis or thevicinity thereof and occupy the fourth quadrant are formed in a state ofdeviating from each other by (P_(y)/2).

[26] Liquid crystal display apparatus: Embodiment 2

A liquid crystal display apparatus that includes arrangement of aplurality of pixels, each pixel including: a first substrate and asecond substrate; a first electrode formed on an opposed surface of thefirst substrate that faces the second substrate; a first alignment filmthat covers the first electrode and the opposed surface of the firstsubstrate; a second electrode formed on an opposed surface of the secondsubstrate that faces the first substrate; a second alignment film thatcovers the second electrode and the opposed surface of the secondsubstrate; and a liquid crystal layer that includes liquid crystalmolecules provided between the first alignment film and the secondalignment film, wherein a pre-tilt is given to the liquid crystalmolecules, wherein a plurality of concave and convex portions is formedin the first electrode, and wherein assuming that an X axis and a Y axispass through the center of the pixel, the plurality of concave andconvex portions includes a stem convex portion that extends on the Xaxis and the Y axis and a plurality of branch convex portions thatextends from a side edge of the stem convex portion toward the peripheryof the pixel, wherein an extension direction of a side edge part of thestem convex portion that is not joined to the branch convex portions isnot parallel to the X axis and is not parallel to the Y axis.

[27] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [26], wherein thestem convex portion that forms the plurality of concave and convexportions is not formed on the X axis and the Y axis, but is formed in aframe shape in the periphery of the pixel.

[28] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [26] or [27],wherein the side edge part of the stem convex portion that is not joinedto the branch convex portions has a straight line shape.

[29] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [26]to [28], wherein the side edge part of the stem convex portion that isnot joined to the branch convex portions has a curved line shape.

[30] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [26]to [29], wherein the width of a part of the stem convex portion that isnot joined to the branch convex portions is narrowed toward a tip partof the stem convex portion.

[31] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [26]to [30], wherein the width of each branch convex portion is narrowedtoward the periphery of the pixel.

[32] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [26]to [31], wherein a slit portion is further formed in the firstelectrode.

[33] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [32], wherein aslit portion is formed in a convex portion region.

[34] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [33], wherein theslit portion is provided in the convex portion region that includes acentral part of the pixel.

[35] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [33], wherein theslit portion is formed in the convex portion region that extends towarda central region of the pixel.

[36] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [33], wherein theslit portion is formed in the convex portion region provided in a regionthat is narrowed by the branch convex portion that extends toward acentral region of the pixel and the Y axis.

[37] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [32], wherein theslit portion that extends in parallel to the convex portion is formed ata top part of the convex portion.

[38] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [32], wherein theslit portion that extends in parallel to the concave portion is formedat a bottom part of the concave portion.

[39] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [26]to [36], wherein a recess is provided in the first electrode in acentral region of the pixel.

[40] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [39], wherein therecess becomes narrow toward the first substrate.

[41] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [40], wherein aninclination angle of the recess is 5 degrees to 60 degrees.

[42] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [39]to [41], wherein the shape of an outer edge of the recess is a circle.

[43] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [39]to [41], wherein the shape of the outer edge of the recess is arectangle.

[44] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [43], wherein anangle formed by an outer edge of the rectangular recess and an extensiondirection of the convex portion is 90 degrees.

[45] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [43], wherein anangle formed by an outer edge of the rectangular recess and an extensiondirection of the convex portion is an acute angle.

[46] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [39]to [45], wherein a central part of the recess forms a part of a contacthole.

[47] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [26]to [46], wherein a plurality of branch convex portions that occupies afirst quadrant extends in parallel in a direction where a value on the Ycoordinate increases when a value on the X coordinate increases, aplurality of branch convex portions that occupies a second quadrantextends in parallel in a direction where a value on the Y coordinateincreases when a value on the X coordinate decreases, a plurality ofbranch convex portions that occupies a third quadrant extends inparallel in a direction where a value on the Y coordinate decreases whena value on the X coordinate decreases, a plurality of branch convexportions that occupies a fourth quadrant extends in parallel in adirection where a value on the Y coordinate decreases when a value onthe X coordinate increases.

[48] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [26]to [47], wherein the branch convex portions that extend from the stemconvex portion on the X axis and occupy the first quadrant and thebranch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Xaxis and occupy the fourth quadrant are formed in a state of deviatingfrom each other, the branch convex portions that extend from the stemconvex portion on the Y axis and occupy the first quadrant and thebranch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Yaxis and occupy the second quadrant are formed in a state of deviatingfrom each other, the branch convex portions that extend from the stemconvex portion on the X axis and occupy the second quadrant and thebranch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Xaxis and occupy the third quadrant are formed in a state of deviatingfrom each other, and the branch convex portions that extend from thestem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the third quadrant and thebranch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Yaxis and occupy the fourth quadrant are formed in a state of deviatingfrom each other.

[49] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [48], whereinwhen a formation pitch of the branch convex portions along the X axis isP_(x) and a formation pitch of the branch convex portions along the Yaxis is P_(y), the branch convex portions that extend from the stemconvex portion on the X axis and occupy the first quadrant and thebranch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Xaxis and occupy the fourth quadrant are formed in a state of deviatingfrom each other (P_(x)/2), the branch convex portions that extend fromthe stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the first quadrant andthe branch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion onthe Y axis and occupy the second quadrant are formed in a state ofdeviating from each other (P_(y)/2), the branch convex portions thatextend from the stem convex portion on the X axis and occupy the secondquadrant and the branch convex portions that extend from the stem convexportion on the X axis and occupy the third quadrant are formed in astate of deviating from each other (P_(x)/2), and the branch convexportions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Y axis andoccupy the third quadrant and the branch convex portions that extendfrom the stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the fourthquadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other (P_(y)/2).

[50] Liquid crystal display apparatus: Embodiment 3

A liquid crystal display apparatus that includes arrangement of aplurality of pixels, each pixel including: a first substrate and asecond substrate; a first electrode formed on an opposed surface of thefirst substrate that faces the second substrate; a first alignment filmthat covers the first electrode and the opposed surface of the firstsubstrate; a second electrode formed on an opposed surface of the secondsubstrate that faces the first substrate; a second alignment film thatcovers the second electrode and the opposed surface of the secondsubstrate; and a liquid crystal layer that includes liquid crystalmolecules provided between the first alignment film and the secondalignment film, wherein a pre-tilt is given to the liquid crystalmolecules, wherein a plurality of concave and convex portions is formedin the first electrode, and wherein a slit portion is further formed inthe first electrode.

[51] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [50], wherein theslit portion is formed in a convex portion region.

[52] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [51], wherein theslit portion is provided in the convex portion region that includes acentral part of the pixel.

[53] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [51], wherein theslit portion is formed in the convex portion region that extends towarda central region of the pixel.

[54] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [51], wherein theslit portion is formed in the convex portion region provided in a regionthat is narrowed by the convex portion that extends toward a centralregion of the pixel and the Y axis.

[55] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [50], wherein theslit portion that extends in parallel to the convex portion is formed ata top part of the convex portion.

[56] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [50], wherein theslit portion that extends in parallel to the concave portion is formedat a bottom part of the concave portion.

[57] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [50]to [54], wherein the width of the convex portion is narrowed toward theperiphery of the pixel.

[58] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [50]to [57], wherein a recess is provided in the first electrode in acentral region of the pixel.

[59] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [58], wherein therecess is narrowed toward the first substrate.

[60] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [59], wherein aninclination angle of the recess is 5degrees to 60 degrees.

[61] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [58]to [60], wherein the outer shape of the recess is a circle.

[62] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [58]to [60], wherein the outer shape of the recess is a rectangle.

[63] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [62], wherein anangle formed by an outer edge of the rectangular recess and an extensiondirection of the convex portion is 90 degrees.

[64] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [62], wherein anangle formed by an outer edge of the rectangular recess and an extensiondirection of the convex portion is an acute angle.

[65] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [58]to [64], wherein a central part of the recess forms a part of a contacthole.

[66] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [50]to [65], wherein assuming that the X axis and the Y axis pass throughthe center of the pixel, the plurality of concave and convex portionsincludes a stem convex portion that extends on the X axis and the Y axisand a plurality of branch convex portions that extends from a side edgeof the stem convex portion toward the periphery of the pixel.

[67] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [66], wherein aplurality of branch convex portions that occupies a first quadrantextends in parallel in a direction where a value on the Y coordinateincreases when a value on the X coordinate increases, a plurality ofbranch convex portions that occupies a second quadrant extends inparallel in a direction where a value on the Y coordinate increases whena value on the X coordinate decreases, a plurality of branch convexportions that occupies a third quadrant extends in parallel in adirection where a value on the Y coordinate decreases when a value onthe X coordinate decreases, a plurality of branch convex portions thatoccupies a fourth quadrant extends in parallel in a direction where avalue on the Y coordinate decreases when a value on the X coordinateincreases.

[68] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [67], wherein thebranch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Xaxis and occupy the first quadrant and the branch convex portions thatextend from the stem convex portion on the X axis and occupy the fourthquadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other, the branchconvex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Y axisand occupy the first quadrant and the branch convex portions that extendfrom the stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the secondquadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other, the branchconvex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the X axisand occupy the second quadrant and the branch convex portions thatextend from the stem convex portion on the X axis and occupy the thirdquadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other, and thebranch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Yaxis and occupy the third quadrant and the branch convex portions thatextend from the stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the fourthquadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other.

[69] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [68], whereinwhen a formation pitch of the branch convex portions along the X axis isP_(x) and a formation pitch of the branch convex portions along the Yaxis is P_(y), the branch convex portions that extend from the stemconvex portion on the X axis and occupy the first quadrant and thebranch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Xaxis and occupy the fourth quadrant are formed in a state of deviatingfrom each other (P_(x)/2), the branch convex portions that extend fromthe stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the first quadrant andthe branch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion onthe Y axis and occupy the second quadrant are formed in a state ofdeviating from each other (P_(y)/2), the branch convex portions thatextend from the stem convex portion on the X axis and occupy the secondquadrant and the branch convex portions that extend from the stem convexportion on the X axis and occupy the third quadrant are formed in astate of deviating from each other (P_(x)/2), and the branch convexportions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Y axis andoccupy the third quadrant and the branch convex portions that extendfrom the stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the fourthquadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other (P_(y)/2).

[70] Liquid crystal display apparatus: Embodiment 4

A liquid crystal display apparatus that includes arrangement of aplurality of pixels, each pixel including: a first substrate and asecond substrate; a first electrode formed on an opposed surface of thefirst substrate that faces the second substrate; a first alignment filmthat covers the first electrode and the opposed surface of the firstsubstrate; a second electrode formed on an opposed surface of the secondsubstrate that faces the first substrate; a second alignment film thatcovers the second electrode and the opposed surface of the secondsubstrate; and a liquid crystal layer that includes liquid crystalmolecules provided between the first alignment film and the secondalignment film, wherein a pre-tilt is given to the liquid crystalmolecules, wherein a plurality of concave and convex portions is formedin the first electrode, and wherein a recess is provided in the firstelectrode in a central region of the pixel.

[71] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [70], wherein therecess is narrowed toward the first substrate.

[72] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [71], wherein aninclination angle of the recess is 5 degrees to 60 degrees.

[73] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [70]to [72], wherein the outer shape of the recess is a circle.

[74] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [70]to [72], wherein the outer shape of the recess is a rectangle.

[75] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [74], wherein anangle formed by an outer edge of the rectangular recess and an extensiondirection of the convex portion is 90 degrees.

[76] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [74], wherein anangle formed by an outer edge of the rectangular recess and an extensiondirection of the convex portion is an acute angle.

[77] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [70]to [76], wherein a central part of the recess forms a part of a contacthole.

[78] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to any one of [70]to [77], wherein assuming that the X axis and the Y axis pass throughthe center of the pixel, the plurality of concave and convex portionsincludes a stem convex portion that extends on the X axis and the Y axisand a plurality of branch convex portions that extends from a side edgeof the stem convex portion toward the periphery of the pixel.

[79] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [78], wherein aplurality of branch convex portions that occupies a first quadrantextends in parallel in a direction where a value on the Y coordinateincreases when a value on the X coordinate increases, a plurality ofbranch convex portions that occupies a second quadrant extends inparallel in a direction where a value on the Y coordinate increases whena value on the X coordinate decreases, a plurality of branch convexportions that occupies a third quadrant extends in parallel in adirection where a value on the Y coordinate decreases when a value onthe X coordinate decreases, a plurality of branch convex portions thatoccupies a fourth quadrant extends in parallel in a direction where avalue on the Y coordinate decreases when a value on the X coordinateincreases.

[80] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [79], wherein thebranch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Xaxis and occupy the first quadrant and the branch convex portions thatextend from the stem convex portion on the X axis and occupy the fourthquadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other, the branchconvex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Y axisand occupy the first quadrant and the branch convex portions that extendfrom the stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the secondquadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other, the branchconvex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the X axisand occupy the second quadrant and the branch convex portions thatextend from the stem convex portion on the X axis and occupy the thirdquadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other, and thebranch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Yaxis and occupy the third quadrant and the branch convex portions thatextend from the stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the fourthquadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other.

[81] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [80], whereinwhen a formation pitch of the branch convex portions along the X axis isP_(x) and a formation pitch of the branch convex portions along the Yaxis is P_(y), the branch convex portions that extend from the stemconvex portion on the X axis and occupy the first quadrant and thebranch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Xaxis and occupy the fourth quadrant are formed in a state of deviatingfrom each other (P_(x)/2), the branch convex portions that extend fromthe stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the first quadrant andthe branch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion onthe Y axis and occupy the second quadrant are formed in a state ofdeviating from each other (P_(y)/2), the branch convex portions thatextend from the stem convex portion on the X axis and occupy the secondquadrant and the branch convex portions that extend from the stem convexportion on the X axis and occupy the third quadrant are formed in astate of deviating from each other (P_(x)/2), and the branch convexportions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Y axis andoccupy the third quadrant and the branch convex portions that extendfrom the stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the fourthquadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other (P_(y)/2).

[82] Liquid crystal display apparatus: Embodiment 5

A liquid crystal display apparatus that includes arrangement of aplurality of pixels, each pixel including: a first substrate and asecond substrate; a first electrode formed on an opposed surface of thefirst substrate that faces the second substrate; a first alignment filmthat covers the first electrode and the opposed surface of the firstsubstrate; a second electrode formed on an opposed surface of the secondsubstrate that faces the first substrate; a second alignment film thatcovers the second electrode and the opposed surface of the secondsubstrate; and a liquid crystal layer that includes liquid crystalmolecules provided between the first alignment film and the secondalignment film, wherein a pre-tilt is given to the liquid crystalmolecules, wherein a plurality of concave and convex portions is formedin the first electrode, wherein assuming that an X axis and a Y axispass through the center of the pixel, the plurality of concave andconvex portions includes a stem convex portion that extends on the Xaxis and the Y axis and a plurality of branch convex portions thatextends from a side edge of the stem convex portion toward the peripheryof the pixel, wherein a plurality of branch convex portions thatoccupies a first quadrant extends in parallel in a direction where avalue on the Y coordinate increases when a value on the X coordinateincreases, a plurality of branch convex portions that occupies a secondquadrant extends in parallel in a direction where a value on the Ycoordinate increases when a value on the X coordinate decreases, aplurality of branch convex portions that occupies a third quadrantextends in parallel in a direction where a value on the Y coordinatedecreases when a value on the X coordinate decreases, and a plurality ofbranch convex portions that occupies a fourth quadrant extends inparallel in a direction where a value on the Y coordinate decreases whena value on the X coordinate increases, and wherein the branch convexportions that extend from the stem convex portion on the X axis andoccupy the first quadrant and the branch convex portions that extendfrom the stem convex portion on the X axis and occupy the fourthquadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other, the branchconvex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Y axisand occupy the first quadrant and the branch convex portions that extendfrom the stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the secondquadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other, the branchconvex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the X axisand occupy the second quadrant and the branch convex portions thatextend from the stem convex portion on the X axis and occupy the thirdquadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other, and thebranch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Yaxis and occupy the third quadrant and the branch convex portions thatextend from the stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the fourthquadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other.

[83] The liquid crystal display apparatus according to [82], whereinwhen a formation pitch of the branch convex portions along the X axis isP_(x) and a formation pitch of the branch convex portions along the Yaxis is P_(y), the branch convex portions that extend from the stemconvex portion on the X axis and occupy the first quadrant and thebranch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Xaxis and occupy the fourth quadrant are formed in a state of deviatingfrom each other (P_(x)/2), the branch convex portions that extend fromthe stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the first quadrant andthe branch convex portions that extend from the stem convex portion onthe Y axis and occupy the second quadrant are formed in a state ofdeviating from each other (P_(y)/2), the branch convex portions thatextend from the stem convex portion on the X axis and occupy the secondquadrant and the branch convex portions that extend from the stem convexportion on the X axis and occupy the third quadrant are formed in astate of deviating from each other (P_(x)/2), and the branch convexportions that extend from the stem convex portion on the Y axis andoccupy the third quadrant and the branch convex portions that extendfrom the stem convex portion on the Y axis and occupy the fourthquadrant are formed in a state of deviating from each other (P_(y)/2).

According to some aspects, a liquid crystal display panel comprising anelectrode is provided. The electrode comprises a plurality of convexbranch electrode portions arranged in a plane, the convex branchelectrode portions being convex when viewed from a first directionperpendicular to the plane and extending from a central region of theelectrode to a periphery of the electrode, and a plurality of concavebranch electrode portions, the concave branch electrode portions beingconcave when viewed from the first direction, extending from the centralregion to the periphery and adjacent to convex branch electrodeportions, wherein pairs of the plurality of convex branch electrodeportions meet in the central region such that the pairs of the pluralityof convex branch electrode portions form continuous convex portions, andwherein pairs of the plurality of concave branch electrode portions meetin the central region such that the pairs of the plurality of concavebranch electrode portions form continuous concave portions.

In some embodiments, the central region of the electrode comprises aregion extending from a first side of the electrode to a second side ofthe electrode.

In some embodiments, the region is a first region, and the centralregion of the electrode further comprises a second region extending froma third side of the electrode to a fourth side of the electrode, and thefirst and second regions overlap at least once.

In some embodiments, the electrode comprises a plurality of sections,the convex branch electrode portions within a first section of theplurality of sections are substantially parallel to one another andoriented at a first angle, and the convex branch electrode portionswithin a second section of the plurality of sections are substantiallyparallel to one another and oriented at a second angle, different fromthe first angle.

In some embodiments, the electrode exhibits rotational symmetry.

In some embodiments, at least a subset of the pairs of the plurality ofconcave branch electrode portions meet in the central region such that awidth of an intersection of the pair of concave branch electrodeportions is different from a width of the concave branch electrodeportions.

In some embodiments, the width of an intersection of the pair of concavebranch electrode portions is greater than the width of the concavebranch electrode portions.

In some embodiments, a width of at least a subset of the concave branchelectrode portions is greater in a peripheral portion of the electrodethan the width of the at least a subset of concave branch electrodeportions in the central region of the electrode.

In some embodiments, the liquid crystal display panel further comprisesone or more openings in the electrode.

In some embodiments, the one or more openings comprise a slit within aconcave branch electrode portion and/or within a convex branch electrodeportion.

In some embodiments, the liquid crystal display panel further comprisesa recess in the central region.

According to some aspects, a liquid crystal display panel comprising anelectrode is provided. The electrode comprises a plurality of convexbranch electrode portions arranged in a plane, the convex branchelectrode portions being convex when viewed from a first directionperpendicular to the plane and extending from a central region of theelectrode to a periphery of the electrode, and a plurality of concavebranch electrode portions, the concave branch electrode portions beingconcave when viewed from the first direction, extending from the centralregion to the periphery and adjacent to convex branch electrodeportions, wherein the electrode has a plurality of edges, and whereinthe plurality of concave branch electrodes have a side edge within thecentral region that is not parallel to any of the plurality of edges ofthe electrode.

In some embodiments, the liquid crystal display panel further comprisesa central convex electrode portion within the central region andextending from a first edge of the electrode to a second edge of theelectrode.

In some embodiments, the central convex electrode portion is a firstcentral convex electrode portion, and the liquid crystal display panelfurther comprises a second central convex electrode portion within thecentral region extending from a third edge of the electrode to a fourthedge of the electrode, and the first and second central convex electrodeportions overlap at least once.

In some embodiments, the central region of the electrode comprises aregion extending from the first edge of the electrode to the second edgeof the electrode.

In some embodiments, the region is a first region, the central region ofthe electrode further comprises a second region extending from the thirdedge of the electrode to the fourth edge of the electrode, and the firstand second regions overlap at least once.

In some embodiments, the side edges of the plurality of concave branchelectrodes are curved.

In some embodiments, a width of at least a subset of the concave branchelectrode portions is greater in a peripheral portion of the electrodethan the width of the at least a subset of concave branch electrodeportions in the central region of the electrode.

In some embodiments, the liquid crystal display panel, further comprisesone or more openings in the electrode.

In some embodiments, the one or more openings comprise a slit within aconcave branch electrode portion and/or within a convex branch electrodeportion.

In some embodiments, at least a subset of the plurality of concavebranch electrode portions meet in the central region such that concavebranch electrode portions of the subset form a contiguous concaveelectrode portion.

In some embodiments, the liquid crystal display panel further comprisesa recess in the central region.

In some embodiments, the electrode is a first electrode and the liquidcrystal display panel further comprises a second electrode comprising analignment regulating portion.

According to some aspects, a method of applying a pretilt to moleculesin a liquid crystal layer of a liquid crystal display panel by applyinga voltage to the liquid crystal layer via first and second electrodes isprovided. The first electrode comprises a plurality of convex branchelectrode portions arranged in a plane, the convex branch electrodeportions being convex when viewed from a first direction perpendicularto the plane and extending from a central region of the electrode to aperiphery of the electrode, and a plurality of concave branch electrodeportions, the concave branch electrode portions being concave whenviewed from the first direction, extending from the central region tothe periphery and adjacent to convex branch electrode portions, whereinpairs of the plurality of convex branch electrode portions meet in thecentral region such that the pairs of the plurality of convex branchelectrode portions form continuous convex portions, and wherein pairs ofthe plurality of concave branch electrode portions meet in the centralregion such that the pairs of the plurality of concave branch electrodeportions form continuous concave portions.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid crystal display panel, comprising: anelectrode that comprises: a plurality of convex branch electrodeportions arranged in a plane, wherein the plurality of convex branchelectrode portions are convex when viewed from a first directionperpendicular to the plane and extend from a central region of theelectrode to a periphery of the electrode; and a plurality of concavebranch electrode portions, wherein the plurality of concave branchelectrode portions are concave when viewed from the first direction,extend from the central region to the periphery and are adjacent to theplurality of convex branch electrode portions, wherein pairs of theplurality of convex branch electrode portions meet in the central regionsuch that the pairs of the plurality of convex branch electrode portionsform continuous convex portions, and wherein pairs of the plurality ofconcave branch electrode portions meet in the central region such thatthe pairs of the plurality of concave branch electrode portions formcontinuous concave portions.
 2. The liquid crystal display panel ofclaim 1, wherein the central region of the electrode comprises a regionthat extends from a first side of the electrode to a second side of theelectrode.
 3. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 2, wherein theregion is a first region, wherein the central region of the electrodefurther comprises a second region that extends from a third side of theelectrode to a fourth side of the electrode, and wherein the first andsecond regions overlap at least once.
 4. The liquid crystal displaypanel of claim 3, wherein the electrode further comprises a plurality ofsections, wherein the plurality of convex branch electrode portionswithin a first section of the plurality of sections are substantiallyparallel to one another and oriented at a first angle, and wherein theplurality of convex branch electrode portions within a second section ofthe plurality of sections are substantially parallel to one another andoriented at a second angle, different from the first angle.
 5. Theliquid crystal display panel of claim 4, wherein the electrode exhibitsrotational symmetry.
 6. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 1,wherein at least a subset of the pairs of the plurality of concavebranch electrode portions meet in the central region such that a widthof an intersection of one of the pairs of the plurality of concavebranch electrode portions is different from a width of one of theplurality of concave branch electrode portions.
 7. The liquid crystaldisplay panel of claim 6, wherein the width of the intersection of theone of the pairs of the plurality of concave branch electrode portionsis greater than the width of the one of the plurality of concave branchelectrode portions.
 8. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 1,wherein a width of at least a subset of the concave branch electrodeportions is greater in a peripheral portion of the electrode than thewidth of the at least a subset of concave branch electrode portions inthe central region of the electrode.
 9. The liquid crystal display panelof claim 1, further comprising at least one opening in the electrode.10. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 9, wherein the at leastone opening comprises a slit within one of the plurality of concavebranch electrode portions or within one of the plurality of convexbranch electrode portions.
 11. The liquid crystal display panel of claim1, further comprising a recess in the central region.
 12. A liquidcrystal display panel, comprising: an electrode that comprises: aplurality of convex branch electrode portions, arranged in a plane,wherein the plurality of convex branch electrode portions are convexwhen viewed from a first direction perpendicular to the plane and extendfrom a central region of the electrode to a periphery of the electrode;and a plurality of concave branch electrode portions, wherein theplurality of concave branch electrode portions are concave when viewedfrom the first direction, extend from the central region to theperiphery, and are adjacent to the plurality of convex branch electrodeportions, wherein the electrode has a plurality of edges, wherein eachof the plurality of concave branch electrode portions has a side edgewithin the central region that is oblique to any of the plurality ofedges of the electrode, wherein pairs of the plurality of convex branchelectrode portions meet in the central region such that the pairs of theplurality of convex branch electrode portions form continuous convexportions, and wherein pairs of the plurality of concave branch electrodeportions meet in the central region such that the pairs of the pluralityof concave branch electrode portions form continuous concave portions.13. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 12, further comprising acentral convex electrode portion within the central region that extendsfrom a first edge of the electrode to a second edge of the electrode.14. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 13, wherein the centralconvex electrode portion is a first central convex electrode portion,further comprising a second central convex electrode portion within thecentral region that extends from a third edge of the electrode to afourth edge of the electrode, and wherein the first and second centralconvex electrode portions overlap at least once.
 15. The liquid crystaldisplay panel of claim 14, wherein the central region of the electrodecomprises a region that extends from the first edge of the electrode tothe second edge of the electrode.
 16. The liquid crystal display panelof claim 15, wherein the region is a first region, wherein the centralregion of the electrode further comprises a second region that extendsfrom the third edge of the electrode to the fourth edge of theelectrode, and wherein the first and second regions overlap at leastonce.
 17. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 12, wherein the sideedges of the plurality of concave branch electrode portions are curved.18. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 12, wherein a width of atleast a subset of the concave branch electrode portions is greater in aperipheral portion of the electrode than the width of the at least asubset of concave branch electrode portions in the central region of theelectrode.
 19. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 12, furthercomprising at least one opening in the electrode.
 20. The liquid crystaldisplay panel of claim 19, wherein the at least one opening comprises aslit within one of the plurality of concave branch electrode portions orwithin one of the plurality of convex branch electrode portions.
 21. Theliquid crystal display panel of claim 12, wherein at least a subset ofthe plurality of concave branch electrode portions meet in the centralregion such that concave branch electrode portions of the subset form acontiguous concave electrode portion.
 22. The liquid crystal displaypanel of claim 12, further comprising a recess in the central region.23. The liquid crystal display panel of claim 12, wherein the electrodeis a first electrode and further comprising a second electrode thatcomprises an alignment regulating portion.
 24. A method, comprising:applying a pretilt to molecules in a liquid crystal layer of a liquidcrystal display panel by applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layervia a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the firstelectrode comprises: a plurality of convex branch electrode portions,arranged in a plane, wherein the plurality of convex branch electrodeportions are convex when viewed from a first direction perpendicular tothe plane and extend from a central region of the electrode to aperiphery of the electrode; and a plurality of concave branch electrodeportions, wherein the plurality of concave branch electrode portions areconcave when viewed from the first direction, extend from the centralregion to the periphery and are adjacent to the plurality of convexbranch electrode portions, wherein pairs of the plurality of convexbranch electrode portions meet in the central region such that the pairsof the plurality of convex branch electrode portions form continuousconvex portions, and wherein pairs of the plurality of concave branchelectrode portions meet in the central region such that the pairs of theplurality of concave branch electrode portions form continuous concaveportions.